Therapy, session 3
This week's therapy session took a turn from previous topics. This week, we talked mainly about sex. That's one topic that I'm just not going to cover here; I don't want to share it, and I'm sure you don't want to read about it.
In other topics, an interesting thing I have noticed about Janine (the therapist) is that she files away every little thing I say, no matter how minute, and is ready to wield it at any time. For example, when I first sat down for Monday's session, I mentioned that parking at her office is tricky - it's street parking only, and that part of Santa Monica is very busy. I've had trouble finding a spot each time I'm there. Well. About a half an hour into the session, she whipped that back out at me as an example of something-or-other that I do that isn't right. It caught me so off-guard that I've since forgotten what point she was trying to illustrate by it.
Also, in my very first session she pointed out the fact that I'd missed part of the new patient questionnaire (which I filled out in her waiting area before she arrived) as an example of some other foible of mine. Perhaps she's using these as a way to feel me out and how I defend myself against weird arguments, but I should ask her about it if she does it again. I understand that the sessions are short and that she needs to consider as much as possible to help me out, but reading between the lines of the pre-session small talk is a little nutty.
Oh, and one last odd thing that she does. When I step into her office and sit down, she's completely silent and just looks at me, waiting for me to start. Maybe that's what they teach you to do in headshrinker school, but it freaks me out a little bit to go from running up the office stairs to talking about serious shit in the span of 20 seconds, with no small talk as a warmup.
Okay, enough bitching about the shrink. She did help me out with the main topics of discussion *ahem*, so I shouldn't complain.
In other topics, an interesting thing I have noticed about Janine (the therapist) is that she files away every little thing I say, no matter how minute, and is ready to wield it at any time. For example, when I first sat down for Monday's session, I mentioned that parking at her office is tricky - it's street parking only, and that part of Santa Monica is very busy. I've had trouble finding a spot each time I'm there. Well. About a half an hour into the session, she whipped that back out at me as an example of something-or-other that I do that isn't right. It caught me so off-guard that I've since forgotten what point she was trying to illustrate by it.
Also, in my very first session she pointed out the fact that I'd missed part of the new patient questionnaire (which I filled out in her waiting area before she arrived) as an example of some other foible of mine. Perhaps she's using these as a way to feel me out and how I defend myself against weird arguments, but I should ask her about it if she does it again. I understand that the sessions are short and that she needs to consider as much as possible to help me out, but reading between the lines of the pre-session small talk is a little nutty.
Oh, and one last odd thing that she does. When I step into her office and sit down, she's completely silent and just looks at me, waiting for me to start. Maybe that's what they teach you to do in headshrinker school, but it freaks me out a little bit to go from running up the office stairs to talking about serious shit in the span of 20 seconds, with no small talk as a warmup.
Okay, enough bitching about the shrink. She did help me out with the main topics of discussion *ahem*, so I shouldn't complain.
Labels: shrink
posted by steve at 12:43 AM
4 Comments:
As related to the ahem topic of sex, it seems like you need a bit of "foreplay" before you can really start talking to the shrink.
Get the iSight out and record your attempt at parking. Make a time-lapse video of it.
While you two are sitting in the beginning, don't say a peep. See if she cracks first or you two sit for the entire time in silence.
Or, take a picture of her. If she says anything, then ask if she would prefer color or B&W. Then ask why.
Yes, I like messing with people. Altho, I've never messed with a shrink, so I prob would get my head handed to me. I don't mean to make light of this, but I also like to have fun and test boundaries.
I wonder if she's reading this blog and the comments...
This is why I like my therapist...she's totally fine with a little chit-chat before we get to business.
But I'm amazed at her capacity for remembering EVERYTHING I say. She remembers shit I said in the first session. Hell, *I* don't even remember what I said. She's not even taking notes.
Anyway, I hope you find it to be as rewarding and helpful as I have so far. It feels different for me this time around, because I actively sought it out instead of my mom deciding to send me to a shrink, so I imagine that has something to do with it!
-Heather
when she starts that stare down crap tell her that you're the alpha male and you see that as an act of aggression. when she doesn't cave crack her in the grape and tell her "look what you made me do!!!" NOW! Validate my Parking!!! BEEYOCH!!!
Seriously, I know what it's like to visit the therapist on a weekly visit and I know what it's like to meet with one for a job that you want and since they are going to let you carry a gun maybe that should do a little check to see if the gun "talks" to you. The shrink for the job is much tougher, because that guy/gal is there to see if you will break.
Just be open with your therapist. You have recognized a key thing there, she is breaking you down so she can understand you. That's all.
Peace!
Matt
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