[Elli-Beth]

I'm wondering how many T's do more than just talking sessions? Like drawing, creative writing, etc? I'm getting so much out of talking with my T, but am ready for a day with a change of pace. I wanted to see if this is common or not before I ask him.

Usually with my clients I try to change it up if that's what they want. Have done creating writing in session, poetry, drawing, coloring, working with clay, painting, and even playing games. I think no matter what age, we all need a bit of change from the pace of therapy.

[peridot28]

My T wants to do some sessions at my house to help me work through my extreme anxiety of letting people come over to my house. It's a VERY irrational fear and I HATE it. I love everything about my house and where I live, so it isn't that I'm embarrassed. She said she has done sessions outside of her office when she thinks it will help a client work through an issue they are having. She also gets me to draw or write out things that are difficult for me to voice. I hope she has long forgotten about coming to my house. LOL!

[Perna]

I think it depends on your T and if they're with an agency of some sort or have their own practice and what their view of and background orientation with "therapy" is, etc. I think it should be easy to discuss the idea with your T, see what they say.

[PTSDlovemycats]

My T has had me do a collage in her office once. Other than that though it is usually just talk therapy. What were you thinking of wanting to do with your T?

[karebear1]

With my T it's been talk therapy, but she has suggested to me that I do write, draw or create at home when I get too anxious and can't quiet it. On a rare occasion, we've talked and done a little Reike- but that was in the beginning when I was a total mess. Right now.... I'm just a mess.

My T is really willing to follow my lead, so we've done other things besides talk...mainly play Uno (a few times) or games with pencil/paper, or doing art (drawing/coloring). We've done big parts of sessions writing back and forth to each other. Sometimes we makes lists...T's favorite was "Tree and T's Top 10 Reasons Why Therapy Sucks"

It's really okay to ask for ANYTHING in therapy, as long as you know that the answer may be "no". I went through a phase of asking for all kinds of crazy things (including "can we take your rolling chair into the parking lot and push each other back and forth" lol)..KNOWING that the answer would be "no"...I think I was working out my fear of being told "no" or getting in trouble. I've never been chided or scolded for asking ANYTHING in therapy...and a lot of times, the answer is "yes"

[Elli-Beth]

I write a lot instead of talking out of necessity because somedays the mutism gets the better of me, and he's okay with that because he's totally supportive.

I was thinking drawing, creative writing, or some sort of "fun" test that might be helpful. I still want it to be productive because I hate the idea of wasting time in there.

[lastyearisblank]

I have gone on a walk with a past t to go somewhere... (it was more like a homework assignment though, we went after therapy)

[karebear1]

Originally Posted by lastyearisblank

I have gone on a walk with a past t to go somewhere... (it was more like a homework assignment though, we went after therapy)

Walking! My T also said when the weather gets nicer, that we will be walking during some of my sessions. I asked her if we could do this last year,and she thought about it for a while and said yes, but the weather started to get bad so we never got to do it. I really love that idea- I know it will make it easier for me to talk.

[lastyearisblank]

Oh cool! I love the idea of walking therapy, it's so much easier to brainstorm walking. Maybe on a quiet street or something where there aren't so many people around

[rainbow8]

My T's orientation includes art therapy so I've made a collage in my session once. Last week we made my birthday card together and I scribbled on a piece of paper and tore it up. (Sorry to keep repeating that but I'm still obsessing about it). She is bringing paint for tomorrow's session.

Other than art, we do breathing and meditation exercises. I almost forgot EMDR, though I talk during that. A T would have to be trained in it to do it.

My T said we could take a walk when the weather gets better.

[Elli-Beth]

Rainbow,
I actually like your scribble story because you've expressed something to your T that I haven't been able to do yet! I've scribbled when I write out conservations to express frustrations with myself, but someday I want to be brave enough to express it about him. Thanks for sharing that story!

[with or without you]

[Suratji]

Originally Posted by rainbow8

My T's orientation includes art therapy so I've made a collage in my session once. Last week we made my birthday card together and I scribbled on a piece of paper and tore it up. (Sorry to keep repeating that but I'm still obsessing about it). She is bringing paint for tomorrow's session.

Other than art, we do breathing and meditation exercises. I almost forgot EMDR, though I talk during that. A T would have to be trained in it to do it.

My T said we could take a walk when the weather gets better.

Rainbow, How is art therapy helpful? Can you explain it?

[Suratji]

We did sand tray once.

[rainbow8]

What is sand tray, Suratji? I love to play with sand!! I don't know that much about art therapy because we haven't done too much yet. However, making collages at home, and one in therapy, have been therapeutic for me. Like writing, I can express my feelings better that way. I'll see what happens tomorrow when I paint. I think it's another way besides talking to get to your feelings. I know I've read books where kids draw pictures of their families and the T talks about the pictures with them. You know the expression: a picture is worth 1000 words. I think in therapy that would sometimes be true, especially if someone finds it difficult to talk to their T.

I feel more comfortable when I'm doing something with my hands, and if I'm expressing myself through art materials, I also don't have to look at my T as much. Has anyone studied art therapy? I think it would be an interesting career. I actually thought of it at one time. My T is not an art therapist, but she's studied expressive arts therapy, so maybe it's the same thing. I mean she doesn't have a degree in it. What a person chooses to draw, what colors he uses, and what he says about his drawing are all important clues about his feelings! Also, if someone scribbles all over a paper and then tears it up (like I did, yeah had to throw that in, didn't I?) it means something to. MAYBE anger?!