Who lies down in therapy?

Who here has experience of lying down on a couch during therapy? In what ways is it different from being face to face with the T? Do you find it it easier to talk when reclining? Or harder?

The reason I ask is because T mentioned to me yesterday that I could choose to lie down on a couch instead of sitting in the chair - he left it open, so I can do it in the future if I want, even though I didn't take him up on it this time. I was a bit taken aback because I didn't realise that it was done anymore, except perhaps in psychoanalysis. But I think my T is working pretty hard to find ways for me to be less tense and be able to open up more and self-censor less, and perhaps lying down while I talk would work. Perhaps. (I'd seen his couch before, but assumed that that was his own resting area.)

[edited to add: I did a search of old threads about lying on a couch, but that darn Couch thread floods all the searches ]

Well, T does have a couch, so I suppose it is an option. I do kind of like cowering in my little corner by the arm though.

I have never done it. The whole idea freaks me out. But one of the therapists I interviewed a year ago had a Freud looking couch in her office. I sat in the chair. I don't even like sitting on the couch in the therapist's office where I go. I would prefer a chair but there is not one. I sit right in the middle so my movement is unhampered and I don't feel as trapped. The couch is a casual family room sofa sort of looking thing rather than a more formal sort. It is hideous and uncomfortable.

There was a blogger on psychology today, Mr. Analysand, who reclined.

My T says people use his couch. The only time I've ever felt like lying down, I later discovered I had pneumonia. But lately T and I are practically recumbent in our chairs and footstools by end of session sometimes and have commented on it. But frankly I think I would fall asleep.

As much as I trust and love my pdoc, I could never lie on the couch! I would feel too vulnerable and the sexual connotations are too much for me. And besides, the couch is too dinky!

I do sometimes, but its bc of my ankle hurting. Sometimes I need to elevate it. T says I'm the only one who ever laid back like that on the couch. But sometimes it makes me uncomfortable. It depends how connected (safe) I am feeling to/with T. If we are in a good space, I don't mind laying down, but when I am upset I usually sit in the corner and build a blockade between us with pillows.

So if you are comfortable with your T, not threatened, then go ahead and lie down. Just bc you do it once doesn't mean you have to do it again.

My T says some clients lay down, but holy heck, that is some fierce trust to do that in therapy. I'd feel so...exposed. I'd rather stay curled up in the corner thanks!

I have never layed down on the couch. I have thought that if I ever break down and start bawling that I'd probably lay face down on the couch. I don't cry much ever and I've never cried in front of T, but when I do cry, I always feel better to lay face down. I cannot remember crying any other way even as a child. It helps calm and relax me. I generally cuddle with my teddy bear too.

My last therapy was always on the couch- it was pretty liberating for talking. I hated making eye contact and sitting in a chair felt too awkward ( not that I wasn't afraid of the vulnerability of the couch). I usually just curled up on my side which felt safer than being flat on my back.

Wow. Great question. The mere thought of it makes me anxious, there is no way I would let myself be that vulnerable. Granted I know (intellectually) that I am perfectly safe in T, the idea of being in that position sounds very dangerous. I am very happy sitting right next to the arm of the couch, facing the door so that I can feel safer and aware of my surroundings.

My T has a loveseat rather than a couch, so it would be a bit cramped. One day when I was very bloated due to being on Prednisone, I stretched my legs out across the loveseat and put a pillow behind my back so that I was reclining slightly. I was facing T though, not the typical psychoanalytic "on the couch" picture.

I have nvr laid down in front of t. I think i would feel too vulnerable tho, to lay down. Its too much of a submnissive pose.

when i was younger in T i would always lay down on the couch curled up in a ball if i was not acting out. but the couch was always facing her awsome comfy overstuffed chair. my T i see now has no couch only two chairs and her office chair

no way!!!

she has two couches

Funny that you ask, because I have been wanting to lay down forever! I told her this toward the beginning and I know part of it is the stereotype of therapy, and that she is psychoanalytically trained. She welcomed me to try it any time and also shared her thought that the same defenses would come up even if I was laying down (I thought it would induce less defensiveness, more sponteneity, and free-association. I was sure that my thoughts would flow, just like they do at night in bed between laying down and sleep).

I've often said that I wish I could just "come in there and plop down on the couch for the hour". Each time she assured me that I could do that if I want to.

Last night I finally did. I wasn't sure I could. I did it in stages and then just asked if I could put my feet/shoes on the couch and she said "sure!" so ... there I was. Big as life. lol. It really did feel good and I liked it and I plan to do it again. It was comfortable, and her being just fine with it felt good of course, and added to the overall comfort level. I felt so much less like the usual 'deer caught in the headlights' that I feel so often.

I am really too old for this song, and I even was when it was popular, but it kind of felt like "Here I am now, entertain me" from Nirvana's song Teen Spirit.

Anyway, I liked it a lot because it just felt so good!

Lots of interesting thoughts and viewpoints here! It's interesting that so many people think it would be a more vulnerable position.... perhaps it really would. I was thinking in terms of not having to wonder whether I should be looking at T and so maybe feeling less vulnerable (and T not having to look at me either.... I wonder how much I would be worrying about whether he was taking the opportunity to think about other things, as I would be unable to see him. Maybe he'd bring a book. That's actually rather a funny image - patient on couch talking away, with T reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and making hmming noises at random intervals, outside patient's field of vision )

Gaah. Now I'm starting to wonder if he suggested it because he doesn't want to have to look at me. OF COURSE THAT'S NOT IT. I know that. I wish I knew why the suggestion came up, though.

Sorry. Thanks for your insights, all - and more anecdotes, thoughts or comments are welcome

That is very encouraging

Yes, I spent I think 2-3 sessions over the last 4 years lying down on T's couch....All of those times, I was a crying, blubbering mess and didn't want to be face to face with T....For some strange reason, I also felt less "seen" because I wasn't facing him, which helped me get through those sessions. I'd imagine that, because of my frame of mind and my emotions at the time, had I been face to face with him - I would have shut down completely.

No. Too many germs. I would skeeve putting my head on the sofa.

I don't think I could. I'm happy curling up against the arm rest of the couch, and last session even clinging onto a pillow. If I don't want to look at T, I look past her, or stare at her feet, or table next to her chair

I don't think I could do it. Fortunately T doesn't have a couch.

I'd have to cut off my legs to lay down; he just has a love seat. Seriously though, I don't think I would be able to; too vulnerable a position for me I think.

I tried to sit on my PDOC's couch for our first appt. She asked me to sit in the chair beside her desk. I'm not even sure she has a couch in her new office.(I've only been there once).

T doesn't have a couch, but I'd fall asleep anyway. Then I'd probably snore or fart

Much better I sit in the chair hugging my pillow

I lay down on the couch every session - my T (should I call her an "A" - an analyst? ) has "a Freud looking couch". It took me a lot of courage to do so and at first it felt good. It still feels good when she is actually talking to me. And it does make me much more vulnerable because I have said so so many things I couldn't even imagine saying when we had face to face sessions. I guess in six months on the couch I have made more progress than in 2 previous years. It is not easy but it is definitely worth it.

It took me about a month to get the courage up to lay on the couch. That was 16 months ago and most sessions since then have been on the couch. It is freeing. t is to my side so if I turned my head I would see her. I'm glad it worked out this way.