[rainbow8]

I'm just wondering if it's typical or not to jump around from one topic to another. I start something really important one session, and then next time, though we didn't really finish that subject, something else seems urgent (though it really isn't, just is in my mind). My T doesn't seem to mind that I do that, but I wonder if it would be better to stick with one issue. It seems like I eventually get back to the other issues, but it may be months later.

We always deal with the most immediate, pressing matters first. So yes, we switch topics as needed. I think that's pretty normal.

Yes, I switch topics a lot from session to session. Things come up a lot. While sometimes I too wish we could just focus on ONE topic and get from start to finish, it rarely works that way for me. But my T is pretty good about at least touching on the previous topics and is keeping a list about what things have been talked about but not finished... The list keeps growing. Goal = find and destroy list.

[granite1]

any topic will do for me

T does seem to switch up things we do.sit in silence,art,movement and relaxation,playing games,talking,sit in silence more.etc....

[BlessedRhiannon]

Originally Posted by stormyangels

Yes, I switch topics a lot from session to session. Things come up a lot. While sometimes I too wish we could just focus on ONE topic and get from start to finish, it rarely works that way for me. But my T is pretty good about at least touching on the previous topics and is keeping a list about what things have been talked about but not finished... The list keeps growing. Goal = find and destroy list.

Pretty much exactly the same in my case. I switch topics a lot, but my T always manages to touch on previous topics and keeps a list of what's been discussed. And, yeah...I'd love to destroy that list!!! Every now and again, when I don't feel anything is urgent, I'll ask my T if she can prompt me because I'm not sure what to talk about. She pulls up that mental list of hers and starts working through it and asking me questions about where I am on each topic.

If there are topics that I really want to cover in a session, I'll email my T first, so that she knows and will help me address those first.

[sunrise]

Yes, we switch topics a lot. For me, it's often good to talk about what's most important at that time, and that usually doesn't match what was most important at the last session.

If I think I am switching out of avoidance, and don't want to be, I will sometimes tell my T, "I really want to talk about this at our next session, can you remind me?" This doesn't happen a lot, though. I try to take responsibility for what we discuss each session, so if we don't stick on a topic, that was my choice, and I know what I can do to fix it--choose differently!

[SpiritRunner]

we did switch topics often, depending on what was top most on my mind.....right now, the topic has been sort of ongoing, with this continued depression and instability in my life right now.......it's getting sort of old and I would like to get back to the way we did things before and explore topics that have been shelved right now, but for now we are stuck on the same topic of safety/stability/coping......

We usually cover several topics in one session... always lots to talk about.

[rainbow_rose]

Originally Posted by rainbow8

I'm just wondering if it's typical or not to jump around from one topic to another. I start something really important one session, and then next time, though we didn't really finish that subject, something else seems urgent (though it really isn't, just is in my mind). My T doesn't seem to mind that I do that, but I wonder if it would be better to stick with one issue. It seems like I eventually get back to the other issues, but it may be months later.

Yes, and it drives me crazy. I do homework for something then we don't talk about it and it's hanging out there. I just hope we'll get back to some of these topics at some point. For now, I'm just trying to go with the flow. But the switching bugs me 'cause it seems we open one can of worms and then open another one before the first one gets some discusson or resolution.

Thanks for asking the question, rainbow8.

[learning1]

We switch a lot. I've been to therapy enough times that I expect that now. I don't expect my t to remember a lot of details, though some t's I've had are better than others. I used to think my current t had a really good memory, but since I came back to him after a year, he doesn't seem to remember what I talk about from one time to the next that much. I'm afraid he's bored with me a lot. He occasionally brings up something he remembers, but if I bring something up from the previous session(s) I don't expect him to remember it. I have a bad memory too, so I understand. I wish he took some notes sometimes though.

[kaliope]

my topics are usually based on whatever happend in the two weeks since i have seen him last. there has usually been some sort of anxiety or a ptsd trigger we can discuss. sometimes i will switch topic three times in a session but i am very aware of this and it makes me paranoid that i am being tangential.

[ECHOES]

Yes, whatever comes up comes up and that can mean different topics each session or within the session.

I think it's probably an excellent opportunity for our T's to listen with that '3rd ear' and help us see the common threads that run through our lives and create the patterns in our behaviors and relationships.