[sittingatwatersedge]

in "The Gift of Therapy" I believe I remember Yalom urging therapists to make a house call on their clients -

I went because it never occurred to me that T might enter my door

I know that the chances are .000000000000000000000000001 that I would ever ask her for that, but if you were to request it, what would you envision a T house call to look like?

[stopdog]

As horrifying as I find such an idea, if it were to happen, at my house I would get the chair and she would get the crappy couch.

[rainbow8]

My former T came to my house twice, once when my father died, and once for a happier occasion. It wasn't therapy. Our paths crossed in other ways though we were never friends. There were a lot of people around, both times.

My current T once made a "house call" to a client. She told me it was to someone on bed rest, I think. I would love it if she came to my house. I could show her around! I sometimes visualize being sick in the hospital and she would visit and hold my hand. Since I'm a lot older than she is, that could feasably happen. I'd rather it didn't, though!

My T made house calls for my father in law and mother in law. My FIL and MIL were long term clients and when my FIL became too ill to go into the office, T came to their house. At first, they all sat in the sunroom. Later, when my FIL could not get out of the bed, my T met with them in the their bedroom. I can say that I know for a fact it would be a hugely bad idea for my T to meet with me in a bedroom.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by sittingatwatersedge

in "The Gift of Therapy" I believe I remember Yalom urging therapists to make a house call on their clients -

I went because it never occurred to me that T might enter my door

I know that the chances are .000000000000000000000000001 that I would ever ask her for that, but if you were to request it, what would you envision a T house call to look like?

my therapist does make house calls, hospital calls, met their clients in other places too. just yesterday my therapist came here to my home, our session consisted of the normal therapy session stuff. the only difference was that it was in my living room and I was the one that made the coffee. lol it was my day off and I just didnt feel like getting dressed and traveling the wet cold and snow. so she came to me instead of my going to her.

I also meet my clients in their homes, in the er, at the crisis center , at the hospital, in restaurants/coffee shops where ever the need arises.

[unaluna]

Originally Posted by My kids are cool

I can say that I know for a fact it would be a hugely bad idea for my T to meet with me in a bedroom.

Thank you, ty, ty! I didn't want to be the first or only person to say this. It would be like the cat getting hoovered, only not so quietly and calmly.

[wotchermuggle]

OMG, you guys are killing me! :P

I don't think I could allow a home appointment. It's too "friendly" and I'd feel too exposed.

Well it wouldn't be much of a session... I would have a panic attack and either pass out or spend all the time puking in the bathroom.

[content30]

Yes...I remember Yalom saying that in The Gift of Therapy. I can't imagine my T ever making a house visit unless I had some sort of terminal illness...but if she did stop by, I would not mind at all. I think it would be neat! I would probably go on an over-the-top cleaning frenzy, though. Although I am neat and clean and organized in general, a visit from my T would probably induce me to spot clean carpet stains, use a magic eraser on the walls, and wipe down the windows and baseboards, lol!

[ECHOES]

Originally Posted by sittingatwatersedge

in "The Gift of Therapy" I believe I remember Yalom urging therapists to make a house call on their clients -

I went because it never occurred to me that T might enter my door

I know that the chances are .000000000000000000000000001 that I would ever ask her for that, but if you were to request it, what would you envision a T house call to look like?

Oh, I mentioned that to my T and we had fun with it
I told her what things, like books, that I would have to put away... and what things that I would have to put out, or display more prominently.

She also told me about having to counsel in a home environment and how it was really not good at all - tv on, others in the house, babies crying or children needing things, neighbors coming by. lol It was court ordered so she had to, but she didn't think it was very beneficial to anyone.

I immediately thought , "Running with Scissors".... No WAY!

[anilam]

My T doesn't know my address...
Anyway, I do remember that he offered a hospital/house call when I was seriously ill (couldn't meet for 2 months). However, I couldn't imagine meeting him somewhere else. For me my T's linked with his office (exists only there) and I don't want to meet him in some other habitat.

[MonroeTree]

Originally Posted by anilam

For me my T's linked with his office (exists only there) and I don't want to meet him in some other habitat.

I totally agree! My T is like a tiger I visit safely at the zoo. If that same tiger showed up at my door step I would freak out!

[sittingatwatersedge]

Originally Posted by anilam

For me my T's linked with his office (exists only there)

wow that's perceptive anilam. The person you know as T, no other client knows, and truly exists only in that room. You said a lot there!!

[Nightlight]

I don't want T to see my run down house. That's what terrifies me the most about that idea. Other than that, I'm happy to interact with her outside of the office and I guess even in my own space.

[EllieBear]

I have actually done this. A couple years ago I was in an accident and shattered my hip socket. I was basically confined to a recliner for two months while it healed. I could barely move and there was no way for me to get to T's office. It was my worst nightmare...I was a fiercely independent person and couldn't even get myself a glass of water or take a shower and get dressed on my own. So, T came to my house. She does regular home visits because of part of her job with other clients anyway, so she had no problem with it. I, however, was mortified. I couldn't clean my house. I couldn't make sure I was presentable. T saw me at my worst. And that was the most healing thing I've ever experienced. She had joked about doing a home visit and said she could learn so much about a person by seeing their home...which is exactly why I didn't ever plan to let her into mine (did I mention I'm a bit of a control freak lol?). Anyway, she came and we did sessions three times a week, just like we normally do, and it was so helpful. It pushed me into a more vulnerable place and I started to truly feel safe and cared about for the first time. That being said, as soon as I could drive and started to feel better, I was anxious to get those sessions moved right back to her office. Mostly, at my house, she just sat with me, which was just what I needed. I let her see me in all my vulnerabilities and learned that it's okay to be hurt and need people. I did find that it was easier to really "dig in" to the past and my trauma in her office, because it's a safer place to do that. But certainly the home visits healed a deeply wounded part of me.

[stopdog]

The other thing that comes to mind for me, is as much as I do not want the woman coming to my home, I would not feel the same way about my office. I would like the appointments to be at my office. Which is quite officey with no couches or large upholstered chairs or anything.

[likelife]

That would be way too bizarre for me. I'd probably end up trying to play host or something. I guess I don't have much of an attachment to my house, so there wouldn't be anything in particular I would want her to see. Probably wouldn't want her to see the giant mess that is usually all over.

I'm intrigued by the idea of seeing T in my office, though. Feels like it would even the playing field a little, so to speak.

Better would be to meet in some neutral location that wasn't her office.

My t came to my house last year. We had a good time. I made us lunch, we went for a walk, i showed her a bunch of my favorite things, she played with the dogs, we sat in my bedroom and talked for a long time, things like that. It was a good day.

[Sunne]

I'd love this. To show him my books and pictures and things from travels and such.

But like MKAC... Bedroom door would need to be closed, locked, barricaded, and boobytrapped.

[CantExplain]

Originally Posted by sittingatwatersedge

What would you envision a T house call to look like?

I would ask her to dinner.
She would refuse.

When I've spoke about how difficult I find having people in my home, T replied 'even me?' I said 'yes I think even you'. I'm not sure if that would be the case. I'm sure T being T would put me at ease, or........ask me if she could use my loo!

[Crescent Moon]

I think it would feel powerfully weird to me. I think if she came to my house I wouldn't know what to do with her. I like to keep her in her office.

It's kinda like how when you're little you think your teachers live at the school. I don't want to see my therapist in her 'real' clothes.

[ECHOES]

Of course, we all know that "home" is also a metaphor for the mind, right?

No a metaphor for our deepest feelings.