Hankster, I have tried a tamer version of this and it has worked well. I just get tired of having to teach my T appropriate tech-behavior-in-session, and so I try a variety of indirect and direct methods. So a few times when he picked up his laptop to look for information he thinks I want, I use that as an excuse to take a bathroom break (when we did 90 minute sessions, I often took a break). He would pick up the laptop and I would think, good, he can do his laptop thing while I take my break, so we don't waste my time. When I have done that, I think he has got the message, because when I come back, he has finished and closed the laptop instead of dawdling over it, as he does other times. I think it sends a good message--here he thinks he is doing something on his laptop for my sake, and my leaving tells him that I am not interested. Of course, I am direct with him sometimes too. It's kind of like working with a child--you try a variety of methods of communicating and hope the message gets through and sticks.

As for eating in session, my T does that too and it doesn't bother me. He sometimes snacks or eats his lunch while I am there. I think it helps him function as a T, since he gets low blood sugar, so I'm all in favor of him keeping his energy up. Sometimes he offers me some of what he's eating, but I usually decline.