Thanks for valuable tips. As you I journal a bit both about what happened in the latest session and what questions or thoughts that brought me. Sometimes I feel what I wrote just a week ago doesnīt feel that acute anymore and sometimes I feel it was a very good thing to have written down and to proceed talking about.
I though seldom feel that the therapist can do much about what I tell them, I have used a lot of written material and even if the therapists and other health care staff have read it they mostly havenīt been able to offer any change. I now mean change about how they meet with me or how they give me support.
But the writings also have other values and that is, as you mention, the feeling that one engages in therapy, not just waiting for the next session to happen.
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Originally Posted by CepheidVariable
I suffer from big rumination problems. It's not as bad with regard to the therapy as some other things, but still, the following helps me.
If something is bothering me about a session, I'll jot down quick notes. I can then review my notes before the next session and see if it's still bothering me, and if I want to bring it up. It often helps me put it aside in the mean time. (I guess in part because that's what therapy is for, and they have to put up with it.  So I know I can try to get it sorted at that time -- decision made, that's done. Find something else to fret about.  )
I have a small, pocket notepad I use for therapy notes and ideas. I don't like to waste time in limited/expensive sessions or potentially forget things and then kick myself because it's another two weeks before I get another chance to deal with it.
When I go into a session, I can review any notes and decide on priorities and if I even want to deal with certain things at all at that time. And knowing that it won't slip between the cracks, because I've made note of it helps me not stress about it. |