[googley]

I have been taking my stuffed animal to T with me now for years. First I was wondering if anyone else does this. He helps me feel safer and can do things like tell T if i'm having a bad time and don't want to say it myself. (I'm not delusional just in case anyone was wondering, I do know he is inanimate). But I will be moving and starting with a new T. This new T will never have seen me with my stuffed animal. I'm trying to decide if he should stay home when I see this new T. I feel kind of childish bringing my stuffed animal and I feel like I should act like an adult. But he makes me feel so much more comfortable. He gives me something to hold onto. I've had him since I was five and have such a strong attachment to him. When I feel really bad he can help remind me that there are people that care about me. Am I being too childish bringing my stuffed animal? Is it time for him to stay at home? Help.

(((((((((((((((((googley)))))))))))))))))))))

If you need to bring him, bring him. I'm sure your new T has seen people walk in with all sorts of things. It's your therapy...you get to do what you need to to be comfortable.

[googley]

Thank you Treehouse. I just worry that it will be seen as babyish. I didn't have that problem before when I took him, but with someone new I just don't know I'm worried about what that person will think. I'm just worried too much about too many things.

[Thimble]

I bring my dog with me (and won't go without her). I don't think you'll look babyish and you'll be more productive in the session if you feel comfortable.

[peaches100]

My t gave me a small stuffed bunny years ago when i first started working with her. I brought it in 1 or 2 times with me to a session. My t thought it was a good thing.

[Christina86]

I say go for it!! If it helps, then it helps.

My one T, once upon a time, gave me a GIANT stuffed teddy bear. She said that since I have internal anger issues, that if I got something that was soft that I could punch - that it would be useful.

... didn't quite work, Cuddles is quite too cute to punch when I'm mad.

But Cuddles DOES make a lovely sleeping companion and something to hug.

I'm almost tempted to bring in a stuffed animal into my pdoc appt this upcoming week... I think it might help.

[chaotic13]

Can you try your first few sessions with him? Then if you really seem to need him, bring him with you after that. Maybe with this transition you are ready to recognize that the comforting he gives you ultimately comes from inside of you and is always available to you with or without having a stuff animal in your hand.

[deliquesce]

i think it's a great idea, googley! i have always wanted to take my dog (if things got difficult i could make her growl back at pdoc/T) but a stuffed animal is probably a little more appropriate for a hospital, lol.

when i know i am in for a difficult session i will take a scarf/cardigan to hide behind (yes, i will pick it up and put it in front of my face and talk from behind that) so i think a stuffed animal is a WHOLE lot less 'weird'. in fact, i don't think it's weird at all. i think it's a great idea!!

i am going to play with my collection of stuffies tonight and find one that is small enough for me to take around with me.

[leahcim]

I think CHAOTIC 13 makes a great suggestions above, but if you still are not comfortable even trying it this way, your new T should have no problem with it. They may discuss it with you, but as long as you explain it as you have here, you won't have any problems.

I once went to a T, whose office was full of patients (many T's there) and I noticed that one would bring a coloring book. She was in her 30's. As we were there at the same time, we we started to chat and she eventually confided in me that the only way she could talk to her T was to be able to color at the same time.

And I'm usually holding on to a box of kleenex very tightly through the whole session. Good luck.

[chaotic13]

It is important to create a therapy environment works for you. That is what is so cool about therapy that is not protocol based. NOW, didn't appreciate it at first, I really value the fact that I've been able to construct my own person T space.

Do what you need to do. All I was suggesting is that if your considering trying to assume a more adult-like persona..I say it sounds like a good time to do it-- new T, new office, new you. We ALL do this from time to time. The college-me was very different from the high-school me, the mom-me is very different from the single-me. I believe we are meant to experiment and change our identity or form at different point in life.

[googley]

Thank you everyone for your opinions. I still have a little while before I move so I will continue to think it over. I might even bring it up with my current T and see what she thinks.

Thimble- It would be great to take dog but sadly I don't live where I can have one right now.

Chaotic- I didn't think you were criticizing me or anything. I had thought of possibly doing that. My stuffed animal usually doesn't go with me to see my Pdoc but recently I was having such a bad week when I saw Pdoc that I took him. I also usually don't bring him on the first appointment since it is so much business etc. I don't want the person thinking I'm a total nut on the first visit.

Deli- I definitely hide behind my stuffed animal when things get too much. I think my T can tell my mood by exactly how I hold him and how much I am crunched down behind him.

Christina- I love big bears. I know what you mean about them being too nice to hit. A prior T tried to get me to work on my anger by hitting a stool with a padded baton. I was terrified to even see her do it. Why do people seem to think that stuffed animals don't have feelings to and would be hurt by us beating up on them?

Leahcim- I think I first started taking him when my first T moved offices and no longer had pillows for me hold on to during session. I found that I felt better with something to do with my hands and they always give away my anxiety level.

Just wanted to add for whomever it was who said they were going to look through their stuffed animals (it doesn't let me see everyone's posts when I edit,) mine isn't huge but it isn't small either. He goes in his own canvas bag with a zipper on top to keep him concealed. First cause I went right after school and now cause I go directly to work.

thank you all for your responses!