[Ambra]

It's me again.. I'm having a very though time and I am noticing increased difficulty to talk about my worst thoughts and emotions while in therapy. So, I'm not a talkative person and always draw as a way to express myself (and write a lot as well..) and I was wondering if I could show something to my therapist if words don't come.
I did a significant one this week trying to explain and escape the uncomfortable feelings that are emerging, I couldn't put that into words so far.
I'm not thinking about cancelling the sessions, but I fear I won't be able to talk.

So is it ever appropriate to bring in artwork and stuff to show? It's just 1-2 sheets in my case. Or do therapists usually don't like to see what one brings in? I'm going to ask her once there, if words don't come and I'll need to show her, but I wanted to be more or less prepared and try to avoid feelings of embarassment and rejection - besides I don't usually show those drawings to anyone and I'm shy - so I'd like to hear your opinion first. Is that ever allowed or helpful? Anyone been there, done that? How'd it go? thank you.

This is a silly question I know, but I have no idea!

[kaliope]

no this isn't a silly question
I think t would welcome the chance to see your artwork if that is how you express yourself. don't be afraid to bring it in for the opportunity to share.

My t has seen dozens and dozens and dozens of pages of my artwork and is always interested. Definitely take some in!

[tinyrabbit]

I imagine your T would be interested. It sounds well worth bringing in.

[MusicLover79]

I used to show my xT my poetry and she got the wrong idea and broke confidentiality on me. Be careful with what you show

My T was very interested in my drawings but he said he was more interested int he ones I left t home. The resulting discussion of them revealed a lot.more than i thought it would.

[Ambra]

Thank you all for your advice! I am considering bringing it on Friday then. What I'm talking about is just a drawing on how I feel now. The drawing itself is not upsetting or so, just "deep" I would say. My problem is that I've always had huge difficulties to express myself into words when it comes to feelings and needs.
T and I clicked - I would never have showed anything to the previous T - so I thought I might feel safe enough to try this, if I was in trouble next time.

MusicLover79, I'm sorry for that... may I ask you why she did that to you? Do you think she wasn't able to handle it? (Sorry, I'm just curious).

Bipolarartist, that is interesting - do you meanthat it revealed a lot in a positive way for you, or did you regret showing your work?

Again, thanks..

I have a Sketch Journal where I draw my feelings and my therapist and I regularly go over it together. I was also very nervous at first, but it has only been positive.

Yes The discussion was positive because T looked at the drawings, selected a few he was interested we discussed what he thought they meant and background behind them and this way I could discuss things about my past through the drawing instead of the nakedness of just sitting in front of him and saying things.

[sweepy62]

I have brought in drawings when I have trouble or am ashamed to talk about it , I dont draw well, I draw stick figures sometimes its about my past trauma, she highly appreciates it, she says its very powerful and speaks alot of words.

[MusicLover79]

I'm not sure why she did that. I mean poetry is really subjective and everyone can take it a different way. I don't think she could handle it and she didn't even talk to me about. She just went and told other people. She was a beginning counselor pretty new to the field. I showed my current T the same poem and he said it wasn't anything to freak out about. I love writing and I usually write about darker topics such as suicide and self harm and abuse, but none of it is real. Even though I used to self harm, I wrote about self harm in a way that I couldn't relate to because I didn't want anything to be about me. Sorry for the long reply lol

[ThisWayOut]

I take stuff in regularly. I'm much better at expressing some things through art. She has always been interested And always wanted to talk about what I bring in. I think anything that helps you communicate Is useful to therapy. We also do art in session sometimes.

Good luck!

MusicLover79, I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with that t. :/

[shezbut]

I think that it's a great idea to share your drawings, that relate your emotions, with your T. Go for it!

[Ambra]

Thank you all for the support, so at least it is allowed to bring something in for sure. I also hope she will appreciate.. I fear exposing and looking "wrong" a lot, still I trust her so I'll give it a go!

MusicLover79, I can relate to the age thing.. my T is very young but so far she has turned out to be way more serious and committed (and non judgmental, finally!) than the previous one who was older and very experienced. That's why I wanted to know more about your experience, thanks for sharing.. hope we'll get something good out of that.

[GeorgiaGirl413]

We don't just communicate with spoken words. We communicate through art, music, writing, dance, and on and on. I think that ANY way that you can communicate with your T that helps them to understand what is going on with you and helps you understand yourself is a good thing.

[Ambra]

I hope it won't pass for exhibitionism or that it makes her change her opinion of me - and I also fear disclosure a bit and wonder what will happen after, if I have to explain it or what. Well, tomorrow I'll know..! (I'm scared. I see it's really no big deal, but I realize I'm so afraid of judgement).
You've been so helpful as always, anyway.

[stopdog]

I think it may help to clarify why you are showing it to her. They can respond in different ways - some talk about the art itself, some may ask about your connection, feelings etc about the rendering, some even might want to discuss why you are showing them.
I have written stories, outlines and even resorted to a power point to try and get that one I see to understand what I was trying to say.