[dolphingirl]

How do you deal with a new office, either new room or completely new building due to moving or new T? Has anything helped you adjust? Last week was the first week t's new office was open. Two centers combined, so the whole complex/area is about 4 times bigger. The waiting room is twice as big. There is now a receptionist too. There are also the ts and clients from the center they combined with, so a professor from last semester is a t there and came to get someone from the waiting room as I was filling out a form and the head of the business I work at was also in the waiting room which makes it so much more strange. T says her actual office isn't bigger sq. footage wise, but it seems a lot larger. I told her the new place was creepy and she asked what I didn't like: everything being larger, more people, and the receptionist. She asked what she could do to make it better and I said to make everything smaller again like it used to be and get rid of the receptionist. Though, she did point out that she makes it possible for her to see clients because she handles a lot of administrative/paperwork.

T asked what she could do to make me feel more comfortable that is actually in her power/she is capable of. I don't know what to suggest. My feet reach the floor from the sofa, so that's fine. Would it be too strange if I asked to walk down the hallways? Do you have any ideas of things I could ask/suggest? How do you deal with/adjust to a new room/office building? What would you ask about?

[CantExplain]

This is not a problem I've ever had to face.

[ECHOES]

My T moved to a different room in the same building that included a different, and much much smaller, waiting room. She is independent, so she doesn't have a receptionist, but there is a receptionist for the therapist there; the waiting room is shared. I still don't like the very small waiting area.

I liked her new room right away. It was neater, more organized, and she added on new piece of furniture -a large desk with a hutch. I was the first patient in the room

Change takes time to become accustomed to. It is unfamiliar now, but will become familiar with time. Your T's old office was unfamiliar to you at one time too.
Allow yourself that time, and all the feelings that come up, as you go through the process of adjusting and feeling familiar again.



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[Miswimmy1]

I would just give it time. Im one that hates change. Luckily I've never had to deal with a situation like the one you are describing, but I imagine that it would be dificult to adjust. I think you will feel better there once you have gone there a few times.

Also, think about the positive things: you didn't lose your t during the move. That is a big one. Also, as for things that are in your t's control... what did she have in her old office that made you feel at home? I'm sure she brought her furntiture, etc with her to the new office... yes? is it cool in there (because it is larger?) Could you ask for a space heater to make things more cozy? is it too clean and modern? Maybe you could ask her to bring in a few old blankets or something to throw over the couch armrests or something to make it look more inviting. I am just throwing out ideas here (all the things I love about my t's office).

[autotelica]

You don't think you'd just adjust to it over time?

I liked my therapist's old location. It was within walking distance to home and her office was "homier". It also had it's own private exit so that I didn't have to go through the waiting room when it was time to leave.

But the new office has grown on me. Her new office has a sink--so she can offer me a cup of water when she has one. The building is close to a grocery story and a wonderful bakery, so I can swing by and do my shopping after session.

There's also a public bathroom outside of the waiting room, rather than behind the locked door that the therapists come in and out of when they are ready for patients. In the old place, I used to hold my bladder until I got home because I didn't want to have to inform anyone of my intention to pee, either to my therapist or to the receptionist.

I still miss being to walk home after session, though. That was very convenient.

My T's practice moved to a new office about a year ago. It really didn't bother me much except that it is little out of the way now.

The first time we met there, he took me on a tour of the new office. He let me peak into all the offices, grab a bottle of water out of the kitchen, etc. Just give it a few sessions. You'll adjust to the change in environment soon enough.

[eclogite]

I don't know... mine moved in Feb and I still get freaked out by the waiting room (the chairs are arranged in a U so they face each other.. I just stand awkwardly by the door).

Before they moved, she did show me around the entire area. Once on a Friday when everyone had left for the day, we poked around all the different offices. I'm ok with her office now, but still not the waiting room.

[Perna]

I once brought in an afghan of my grandmother's to my session (in the winter :-) and covered my lap with it Bring in something you love from home or wear your "favorite" outfit? Whenever I'm confronted with something big and new like that I work to make "my" space smaller and homier and more to my liking. Take "control" of the chair you sit in and move it a couple inches Just manipulating the environment like that can give you a better feeling of it being "yours".

[lostmyway21]

I freaked out when I started seeing T twice a week because I had to see him in his other office for the second session. Why? I have no idea. The first session I didn't say a word. I was afraid to go back. I was having a panic attack about going back. He took me for a walk around the city, the second time around. Then that became our every session thing. I eventually became comfortable there. I actually prefer that one now. I would ask for the walk.

[dolphingirl]

Originally Posted by Miswimmy1

Also, think about the positive things: you didn't lose your t during the move. That is a big one. Also, as for things that are in your t's control... what did she have in her old office that made you feel at home? I'm sure she brought her furntiture, etc with her to the new office... yes? is it cool in there (because it is larger?) Could you ask for a space heater to make things more cozy? is it too clean and modern? Maybe you could ask her to bring in a few old blankets or something to throw over the couch armrests or something to make it look more inviting. I am just throwing out ideas here (all the things I love about my t's office).

She brought her desk, but got new furniture, sofa, chairs, clocks. The old one was smaller with less people, I guess that's what I really liked. You walk in, down a narrow hallway, then there is the waiting area with four chairs, magazines, and an end table, then there are three doors coming off of it to the offices. I guess what I really miss is that it was there weren't as many other people involved. Occassionally there might be another student or two, or I'd see the other t's in passing, but it was usually me and t. I think I'm more uncomfortable with all of the people (clients, t's, and receptionist) and the overall increase in size. I think I may be able be okay with her individual office change.

I might adjust over time, but it still seems so far off. I am glad to hear that other people's t have allowed them to walk around the office. I think I'll ask about that, if I can walk down the other 3/4s of the hallway.

My T moved to a new office and it was a difficult transition for me. The first few sessions we had were in a large meeting room and I felt really exposed. He moved into his new office and I feel less in the spotlight, but it's very blank. I really miss all of the comfort of the old setting.

I focus my attention him to help with this. He's really comforting to be around so I just kind of ignore the room mostly and it helps a lot.