[lightcatcher]

Just wondering how people get into a head space to talk about stuff?

I have afternoon appointments and usually go straight from the office to T office. There might be a 10-15min wait, usually in their waiting room. However I have been finding it hard shifting gears so to say to move from professional me, to the me that needs to be out there for things to happen with T.

Anyone have the same kinda experience?

[tinyrabbit]

I try to spend some time sitting down with my thoughts before T, maybe I'll have some stuff written down on my phone or I'll write something down then.

I'm not sure I need to be in any particular headspace though.

Yes all the time. I think whrn we come from wk we have all our defences up that get us through.
Just start rambling. Even about how you find it difficult to talk.

[A Red Panda]

So far I have let my T just ask questions and I go from those - I tend to ramble a bit if the question doesn't make me want to cry.

[content30]

Like tinyrabbit, I keep a list of things I'd like to discuss in my phone. I also either listen to music/clear my head on my way there or think more over the things that I want to discuss on my drive to my T's office.

[precious things]

I use the drive over to the office and music to guide me. Usually I start unsure of where I want to go or where my head is at and I have found that whatever music I find myself playing shows me where my head wants to go.......(is it sad and stirring, angry?) once I feel I've settled on a musical theme and I can go...."hey, I must be sad because at this moment, this song resonates" , and I just organize my thoughts from there. I also make sure to never spend more than a minute in the waiting room so it all doesn't disappear in those awkward moments waiting to go in.

I had that same problem, so I tried to arrange appointments at the end of the work day. Sometimes I would skip lunch so I could leave early and and catch her last appointment. For me I wouldn't allow myself to switch gears for fear of falling apart and having to go back to work. Maybe you are stopping you from "getting into your head" without even realizing it. A list a great idea to get you started each session.

[BlessedRhiannon]

I usually use the drive over to the office to help me switch gears. However, if that doesn't happen, once I get in to T's office, I'll tell her that I need a moment to switch gears. She usually guides me through some kind of mindfulness exercise to help me let go of the work stuff and be present for therapy. Also, at the start of the session, I'll let T know whether or not I have to go back to the office after our session. If I do have to go back to the office, she takes care to use the last few minutes to help me wrap things up so that I can switch back to my work mindset.

[wotchermuggle]

I find it hard to switch gears too. I try to write down stuff and put it on my phone so that I can remember things that have happened during the week. Otherwise, I'm mysteriously "okay" for 2/3 of the session, until the real me comes out.

[lightcatcher]

Originally Posted by wotchermuggle

I find it hard to switch gears too. I try to write down stuff and put it on my phone so that I can remember things that have happened during the week. Otherwise, I'm mysteriously "okay" for 2/3 of the session, until the real me comes out.

I know what you mean about the real me. Sometimes I feel like I've wasted 2/3rds and then the real me comes out too, then I feel cheated (cheated by myself). And I kick myself for it.