[danizoso]

So I've only just begun working with my T. I've had 3 appts with her including the one today. At the end of the first session she asked me to write a letter to DH explaining why I was angry with him. Instead I just told him why and we talked. It was really good and we got a lot out there.

The second appt she asked me to write about my RA. I didn't do that either. First off I just plain didn't want to WRITE anything out. I didn't and still don't feel the need to write out my emotions. This turned out well too because we discovered that my PTSD related to the events that happened after my RA rather than the actual RA.

Today was my 3rd appt and she asked me to write for next time. I'm sensing a pattern. She asked me to write out when I feel or think negative things about myself. I'm just not feeling the whole write it out bit.

How often to other T's give assignments?

[Victoria'smom]

I have to keep a mood/event/thought chart w/ notes. It's hard, I usually turn it in early so she knows what's going on before I see her. It's been hard for her to figure me out and this helps. I still have no idea what I'm doing in therapy after almost a year but I'll hopefully figure that out soon.

[northgirl]

When I started my therapy, assignments were weekly. I tend to think this is a way to help us feel safer and learn to feel comfortable expressing ourselves. Especially when talking about traumatic things, or relationship issues, it is a way to make it easier to talk about. Has it been challenging for you to talk to your T? Given that it's only been a short time, maybe these assignments will end soon.

[rainboots87]

I have some sort of assignment usually every week, even if it's small. May I ask why you do not want to write? Could you give it a try once and see how it goes?

[tkdgirl]

Homework seems totally random with my T. Some weeks I have multiple things other times weeks with nothing. My assignments however are rarely written, there more think about this or observe this behavour.

[sconnie892]

Sometimes my t will spell out an assignment for me. Other times it is just understood that I will work on what we talked about. I think getting homework might depend upon the mode of therapy your t is using.

I enjoy writing so it has always been one of the first things I go to. I use a free-flowing form of journaling and it has revealed thoughts and feelings I couldn't access by just thinking. For me seeing the words on the page and being able to go back and reference them has been very helpful.

Could you ask your t why she is encouraging the writing? Maybe there are other methods she could suggest that meet the same need?

[healed84]

After my second appointment with my T he had me keep a log of all of the irrational fears that lead to my anxieties.. That was the only offical assignment that I think he ever gave me. I am working through a workbook that he asks me about every once in awhile. He has also suggest that I read a couple of books. That is it. I think it depends on the T and the kind of therapy that they practice. I know with CBT homework is pretty common.

[bamapsych]

CBT usually involves alot of homework and journaling

[stopdog]

There has not been talk of assignments with any of the the therapists I have seen except for the short lived and, to me, worthless, cbt.

[danizoso]

Originally Posted by northgirl

When I started my therapy, assignments were weekly. I tend to think this is a way to help us feel safer and learn to feel comfortable expressing ourselves. Especially when talking about traumatic things, or relationship issues, it is a way to make it easier to talk about. Has it been challenging for you to talk to your T? Given that it's only been a short time, maybe these assignments will end soon.

I'm a talker by nature. SO it hasn't been hard for me to spill everything to her. I'd much rather talk it out than write it out. I can talk so much faster than writing LOL and therefore figure it out much faster.

Originally Posted by rainboots87

I have some sort of assignment usually every week, even if it's small. May I ask why you do not want to write? Could you give it a try once and see how it goes?

I'm just not a writer. I can give it a try and told her as much. It will be hard for me. Mostly bc I'm super super busy. I have two kids at home, I run an inhome daycare, and I work part time for our church (20ish hrs a week). Just busy but I suppose you have time for what you make time for, right?

Originally Posted by healed84

After my second appointment with my T he had me keep a log of all of the irrational fears that lead to my anxieties.. That was the only offical assignment that I think he ever gave me. I am working through a workbook that he asks me about every once in awhile. He has also suggest that I read a couple of books. That is it. I think it depends on the T and the kind of therapy that they practice. I know with CBT homework is pretty common.

What is CBT?

[stopdog]

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

[healed84]

Cognitive behavioral Thearpy.. google it, I am sure that will explain it better than I can. Did you google EMDR yet??

[danizoso]

Originally Posted by healed84

Cognitive behavioral Thearpy.. google it, I am sure that will explain it better than I can. Did you google EMDR yet??

Not yet. I forgot the letters LOL

[lostmyway21]

I do CBT as well and since it's goal oriented therapy. I dont get assignments but goals every single session. Twice a week. Goals like study for test, call and recconect with family, file for unemployment, spend time with friends, don't self medicate, reapply for insurance. Anything that needs to be done that I wont do without the constant reinforcement of my T. We review the sessions goals at the end of every session. Some goals are ongoing and some are specific to what's going on currently in my life.