[buy_time]

Literally, I'm just curious if people do it and why?

My T asked me if I wanted to b/c she said it would help relieve anxiety and I wouldn't have to even remotely see her looking at me...but I didnt. I guess it made me feel weird.

Any opinions/thoughts?

[critterlady]

I don't have that option, but I wouldn't lie down on one if I did. If I don't want to see T's facial expressions or make eye contact, I can just look away. But the times when I do, it really helps to be able to see his face. I imagine it helps him to see my face as well.

I'd also be convinced he was rolling his eyes or making faces if I couldn't see him!

[content30]

I've never laid down on the couch when seeing my T, and she has never asked me if I wanted to lie down. I like to look at my T. I think I would feel weird lying down...

I don't really get the idea of it as an option, and I have never had it as one...feels like "too" familiar for me.

And I would totally fall asleep.

[Victoria'smom]

My T doesn't have one and I doubt I'd sit on it let alone lay down.

[stopdog]

I interviewed one who had a black loungy couch thing with a chair behind it in case one wanted psychoanalysis done that way. It freaked me out even though I was in a chair. The furniture was also such that her chair was higher than the one I sat in. I only tried her that one time. I don't look at the woman usually, but no way am I lying down in a room with a strange woman behind me.

yeah, once. it just seemed like the thing to do at the time. i was facing away from t. got to see a whole new view of the room...
he has a picture i really like and to see it, i have to face opposite of t....

I had the option when I still saw her in person. Never did, I preferred sitting across from her and maintaining eye contact. Except for those times when I hid behind my notebook, of course. Ha! Now, since we do phone sessions, I'm usually sitting on the floor at home where I'm comfy.

[stopdog]

I find it interesting how many people refer to eye contact/looking at the therapist as being important to them.

Originally Posted by stopdog

I find it interesting how many people refer to eye contact/looking at the therapist as being important to them.

Unless you are somewhere on the autism spectrum, most people like to face the person they are talking to. Our brains are just wired that way, survival etc.

[stopdog]

I am not on the spectrum. I do sit facing the woman. Just surprised that the looking at the therapist is the reason for not wanting to lie down. I did not realize people liked looking at the therapist. I have no trouble looking at people or making eye contact. I don't do it with the therapist, but that is choice, not because I can't.

Originally Posted by stopdog

I don't do it with the therapist, but that is choice, not because I can't.

Hmmm, I can relate to that.

[sunrise]

I would feel super vulnerable to lie on a couch and have someone sit behind me where I can't see him/her. I already feel vulnerable enough without adding that. I think it might put me on edge, and I might have an uncomfortable feeling of waiting for something unseen to pounce on me when I am not on my feet and can't "escape" easily. I trust my T and get along well with him, but I still would not put myself in that position with him.

[CantExplain]

Originally Posted by buy_time

Literally, I'm just curious if people do it and why?

My T asked me if I wanted to b/c she said it would help relieve anxiety and I wouldn't have to even remotely see her looking at me...but I didnt. I guess it made me feel weird.

Any opinions/thoughts?

I tried it once but it is much better face-to-face.

[Nelliecat]

I've had a lie down on the couch a couple of times while T did some relaxation stuff which at the time helped but I haven't done this for a while. It is sometimes my preferred place to sit so I don't have to make eye contact and my feet are also off the ground which to me feels safer. I don't have a problem with eye contact usually, only with T.

[Raging Quiet]

I do lie down as I have 'body psychotherapy'

I have to admit when I lie down I always close my eyes and end up wanting to sleep. (I do have periods of massage at this point which attributes to this)

I think lying down makes it feel more clinical which is why I prefer to sit and talk so I don't feel like T is 'taller' than me

[sittingatwatersedge]

Originally Posted by stopdog

I interviewed one who had [...] furniture was also such that her chair was higher than the one I sat in..

this would make me run away.

My $0.02, I could never lie down during therapy - wayyyyy too vulnerable. (It's amazing to me that someone could propose that it could relieve anxiety. go figure!)

[murray]

The thought of lying down in therapy is enough to make me want to run away...way too vulnerable. I like to sit on the couch facing in T's general direction. I do not believe that I am on the Autism spectrum (although my ex liked to tell me I must be as I am so terrible with people, anyway..) but I do not find eye contact with my T comfortable. I find that I feel safer and more able to keep track of what is going on around me if I don't try to make eye contact.

Originally Posted by murray

(although my ex liked to tell me I must be as I am so terrible with people, anyway..)

Yeah he is a regular PEOPLE PERSON... ugg

My first T insisted I face her, Current T doesn't care one way or the other. I am usually staring off into space when I feel emotional as I am trying to stop the waterworks.

[BonnieJean]

After a few weeks of coaxing from t, I tried lying down. That is what I do every session now because it makes me safer, less vulnerable and I open up more easily. I guess everybody is different. I say give it a try. If it doesn't work for you, you don't have to keep doing it.