[RTerroni]

I was wondering of any of you people on here have any trademark sayings at Therapy (i.e. words that you say at almost every session).

With my most recent Therapist she told me that I seem to have said "It is what it is" at almost every session (and I think that was the case).

My prior Therapist told me early on (in fact at the very first session) that I said "Like you said" many times, even when she thought she didn't say anything related to that, although that seemed to fizzle out very early on.

The first person who I saw told me that I seemed to say "You Know" a lot.

My Ts would probably say it would be "I don't know" whenever I'm asked how did that feel or what were you feeling or what feelings does that bring up..... my xT tried to outlaw that one from session...

[purplemystery]

Interesting thread! The only thing I can think of for me is that I say "but... yeah." I do it a lot, and want to kick myself every time it happens. Basically it's my way of leading on that I have more to say, realizing that I don't (or don't want to say any more), and ending the sentence.

[SheHulk07]

I know I say, "I don't know" or "I'll try" a lot during therapy.

[lightcatcher]

Great topic RT!

I would say the thing's I say the most are "I dunno" and "its dumb". Neither of these fly for T and I get pressed further, they seem to be cover words for me really.

"I dunno" frequents throughout my usual day anyway. Someone said to me the other day that if I had a middle name/nick name printed on a card (like baseball or wrestling cards) I would be Light "I dunno" Catcher. Go figure.

[archipelago]

Actually I find this interesting and really thought about it. I go to sessions twice a week and have for a long time. But after a real search I couldn't find anything that I say frequently like that. It's sorta spontaneous I guess. He has a few things he says on a regular basis, not every session but every couple of months. They aren't pat phrases but just a particular way he words things. He is pretty spontaneous too.

[Daeva]

"I don't know." I say it as an excuse to not discuss things.

[RTerroni]

Originally Posted by archipelago

Actually I find this interesting and really thought about it. I go to sessions twice a week and have for a long time. But after a real search I couldn't find anything that I say frequently like that. It's sorta spontaneous I guess. He has a few things he says on a regular basis, not every session but every couple of months. They aren't pat phrases but just a particular way he words things. He is pretty spontaneous too.

I think that if the Therapist didn't point it out to me than I wouldn't realize it either.

[sweepy62]

I would say " I dont know" but that only starts up a silence event from my t,, so I try not say it any more lol.

[stopdog]

"Are you serious or are you just messing with me?"
and
"No, that is not it"

[rainboots87]

My long term T from 2010-2012 (kindly) banned me early on from saying "I don't know." She wanted me to really think and try to answer instead of trying to feed her the answer I thought she wanted. Sometimes it was hard, but I really appreciate how much the challenge helped me grow. It also helped keep me from withdrawing with things got too intense. My group T and dietitian really noticed a difference too, though I still used it more often with them for awhile. I also often asked if she was mad at me. Looking back, I don't think that was ever something I should have been concerned about, but I really wanted to make her happy and was attached and that's how it manifested. Now, I don't think I have any consistent sayings, but I'm in a much healthier place. When the anxiety flares up, I often think/believe that no one cares about me though.

[lightcatcher]

It is interesting how many of us have stated 'i dont know' etc as the go to answer.

[stopdog]

I rarely say I don't know, but I have said I am not going to tell her/answer.

[healingme4me]

It's become long term, back and forth, this expression, with PDoc, think he first used it: 'It's only an illusion.' Or other derivatives. Mostly, in relation, to weather outside. It's a fun expression.

Sent from my LG-MS910 using Tapatalk 2

[RTerroni]

Originally Posted by lightcatcher

It is interesting how many of us have stated 'i dont know' etc as the go to answer.

I thought that as well, it seems like I have rarely said that but than again my pasts Therapists have rarely asked me questions.

[lightcatcher]

Originally Posted by RTerroni

I thought that as well, it seems like I have rarely said that but than again my pasts Therapists have rarely asked me questions.

RT, I dont even need to be asked a question to say "I dunno". Sometimes Ill finish what Im talking about and say it! I never thought about that haha.

[lightcatcher]

Originally Posted by stopdog

I rarely say I don't know, but I have said I am not going to tell her/answer.

Stopdog what does your T say after you tell her that?

[stopdog]

Originally Posted by lightcatcher

Stopdog what does your T say after you tell her that?

Sometimes she clarifies or explains her part of it and sometimes we move on.

[RTerroni]

I have also realized that many times I need a Therapist to rephrase what they are saying in order for me to fully understand it.

[tealBumblebee]

I use these phrases way too much:

- "I don't know."
- "Like..."
- "Um..."
- "Mmmmm....."
- *silence in response to a question*
- "My mind just went blank..."
- "I don't remember..."
- "I don't want to talk about that."

Lol, my T must go crazy sometimes in her head with all my uncertainty & lack of speech lol.

[archipelago]

Why is it that people say "I dunno." Is it because you really don't or because you don't want to reveal what's on your mind? I can't really get my head around it I guess because I want to use the time up although at times there have been extended silences. I just spend too much both in effort and in money to not interact as much as possible.

[lightcatcher]

Originally Posted by archipelago

Why is it that people say "I dunno." Is it because you really don't or because you don't want to reveal what's on your mind? I can't really get my head around it I guess because I want to use the time up although at times there have been extended silences. I just spend too much both in effort and in money to not interact as much as possible.

Hi Archipelago, I think I say "I dunno" for both reasons.

Sometimes I do know but don't want to say out of fear, shame etc.
But I have also realized that I don't know how to name emotions or feelings so when I'm asked how I am feeling etc and I reply "I dunno" sometimes I really just don't know. It appears to me that T can tell which one of those categories my "dunno" fits into. T will press further or help me to explain myself.

Does that clarify a little bit?

[critterlady]

I say "I don't know" fairly regularly, but only when I really don't know the answer.

I also apparently have a way of saying "okay" that my T interprets as "I don't really believe you, but I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt for the time being."

[Mactastic]

I say "I don't know," "maybe," "I lost my train of thought" all the time. I say maybe when I know my T is right but I'm not ready to admit it.

[archipelago]

Thanks. I was just curious, but it makes lots of sense. I appreciate the candor. I just couldn't see it well, but now I understand better.