My therapist caught me off-guard recently by suggesting we "discuss the possibility of using the couch." He says I might find it comforting and productive to lie down and not be aware of his facial expressions or have to make eye contact, and that it might allow me to speak more freely about difficult topics and access my feelings more easily sometimes. I’m considering it, but I'm also having a strong reaction to the suggestion!

It's not a complete shock--I’ve obviously noticed that my therapist has a psychoanalytic couch in his office, and I’m aware that he has patients who use it in psychoanalysis. But I wasn’t expecting him to suggest the couch as a part of twice-weekly psychotherapy. I’m curious about what it would be like to try it, but also a little concerned it will feel extremely strange and overly vulnerable, worried it will change how my therapist and I relate, and wondering if it will make it harder/weirder to bring up simple logistical stuff like scheduling and medications (my therapist is also my psychiatrist).

I’m curious, has anyone ever used the couch in therapy before, or had your therapist suggest it? Did you take them up on it, and if so what was it like? Did it change things about therapy, and did you think it was better or worse?