This is an interesting thread. I have been seeing my T for several years. Recently we have gotten on a "topic" that has been very difficult for me to talk about. I became overwhelmed outside of session thinking about having to talk about the "topic", taking the memories with me when I left her office and thinking about them all the time.

Two weeks ago she suggested to me that we needed to find a way to put away the "topic" and the emotion related to talking about it. She wanted me to be able to leave it at her office. I was doubtful that it would work.

She removed a beautiful ceramic box from a cabinet in her waiting room and ask if I could leave the "topic" and therapy in the box when I left the session. She told me who had made the box for her and about how heavy the lid was, and how that should help me to feel safe leaving everything with her. She thought this would help me to be able to forget about it until the next session when we could bring it out to talk about again.
I spend a few minutes at the end of each session mentally putting my emotions and memories in the box before I leave her office.

This has helped me not feel so overwhelmed between sessions. She put the box on a high shelf behind her desk so that it wouldn't be disturbed.
I feel safer knowing she hold my memories and sadness in her office.
rebc