[sittingatwatersedge]

T's office has a couch along one wall, and two wing chairs that more or less face each other. We always use the chairs.

Last week, in the client chair there was a big and very wet spot on one side of the cushion. To my amazement T said that the client before me had come in with sopping, just-washed hair and unbeknownst to T, had apparently dripped through the whole session

She offered to switch chairs with me but I just couldn't imagine sitting in her place, and said no. She dashed down the hall and came back with 47827764850 paper towels, which she arranged over the wet place, and I used the chair with no problems.

Now I'm wondering. Who of you HAS changed chairs with T, what prompted the change, what effect do you think it had? I really am thinking maybe next time I see her I could say, I want to sit over there this time

I have. It was actually my t who asked me to. It was during a family session.

[WikidPissah]

never. I don't have any desire to either, but I have heard of tons of people doing that and it being therapeutic.

[Omers]

It would freak me out! 2 of my Ts have offered or asked me to use their chair and I ended up cowering in the corner just because they brought it up. I am very over protective of what I consider my space so I am overly respectful of others places. oooh... creeps me out just thinking about it!
Sometimes I'm so silly!

[Perna]

My T and I use to sometimes have to use the clinic director's office when the therapist who my T rented her office from needed it. That would freak me out since it was all fancy leather chairs and wood paneling, oriental rugs and wall hangings, etc. instead of a tiny little office office.

[with or without you]

never, and I would never ask. That's her place and I have mine.

[BlessedRhiannon]

Never, and even if she offered, I couldn't...her chair has it's back to the door, which I can't handle. I can't even sit in the corner of the couch that is closest to the door.

[Suratji]

We quit chairs last month by my request. Now we're safely on the floor and it feels so right and safe. But I'm in the same general location able to look at the door. I'm just realizing now that I never like my back to the door so if she asked me to switch positions, it would make me feel uncomfortable just for the fact of where the door is.

[granite1]

all i can say to this isno nonono never not ever

[Elli-Beth]

I've thought about it just to be rebellious. Today when he greeted me with, "Are you ready?" I asked him what he would do if someday I replied no, it really caught him by surprise!

I love sitting in T's chair. It honestly feels like the safest place in the world to me. It feels so comfortable and contained and when I'm sitting there, I see T sitting on my big, open, scary couch, and being okay there and that helps too. I put a pillow on my lap or hide everything but my head under a blanket and it's like a little nest.

I've noticed that when we switch seats T is more open. Or maybe I am more open with my questions (which seems impossible, honestly).

We don't do it that often. Usually if I feel really scared or unsafe I will ask him to come over to the couch (if I am able to get the words out)...but sometimes I just want to be physically alone, so we switch seats.