Do you record your sessions?

Anonymous forum or not, I am very ashamed to admit I record sessions. I have only recored the last two, but I can't see myself stopping even though it feels so wrong. My T doesn't know, I just use an app on my phone. It's been so helpful to go back and relisten. He makes me so nervous I never remember a word of what goes on. He has some really soothing, insightful things to say that I "miss" in session.

Interesting thread. We are all so different and so are our therapies. It's very useful to see that fact.

I tried recording a few times, but I had this sense that it was making us both self-conscious so I just stopped. I wish I had recordings sometimes because I agree with Asia that it is sometimes sacred so that makes me want to honor it all the more.

I do have a good memory so I can replay things in my head. And I do use a journal though I don't really record things. In fact, I use it more as preparation and usually I don't end up doing what I prepared for, which I think is a good thing because it's more spontaneous. Perhaps because it is so spontaneous the recording of it just didn't feel right.

I wish I could, but I think I'd feel awkward bringing a recorder into session, however I remember very well after session and write the session in my journal so I can go back and review it. However if I need to hear her voice I call her up and her voice mail is really long...so yeah.

It's actually Illegal in New York to record someone without their knowledge. Just putting that out there.

Right. I actually think there are ethical and perhaps legal guidelines about audio recording in therapy. I know that as interns sometimes you have to record sessions to speak with the supervisor, but you have to ask for formal consent because of confidentiality.

The confidentiality privilege belongs to the client - not the therapist.

I know that, just saying that it is a matter of respect to let someone know that you are recording them. For me, it is an ethical issue regardless.

I was just pointing out that the therapist/intern has a different duty than the client. It is usual that the therapist/intern gets waivers/permissions etc. Not everyone knows that the confidentiality belongs to the client not the therapist, which is why I added it in. A client may choose to do other things and the therapist does not have that freedom.

Okay, thanks for adding it. I just assumed that people knew that the client has the privilege.

I do agree with this. I would never record sessions without my therapist's approval.

Sent from my LG-MS770 using Tapatalk

I asked my T if I could record our sessions. She said no. I take notes but that's not good enough. Would live to hear again what she says.

I record my sessions, too, and have done so for many years. Your reasons for taping are the same as mine. Plus, when I first started therapy, I would listen to the tapes at night, using a small tape player and headphones, as it helped me to fall asleep. I also found comfort by listening to some of the tapes over and over, like you said, "to soak up the caring". And it did help me to not miss him so much in between sessions.

Listening to the tapes helped to break down my denial when I was struggling with the DID diagnosis, as I could hear my alters and how very different they were. Also, they talked about things that made me have more compassion for myselves. I am still working on integration of my selves, and taping sessions has been one of the most valuable tools over the years.

Now, with my new T, it is definitely helping me to hear what was really said, vs. what I heard at the time.

Nothing to be ashamed about. You record them because you value them and want to listen to them, and what is said involves you. It's not like you're recording somebody else's session. You want to learn and review what is said to you and how you responded. It is YOUR therapy after all. The only time people should feel ashamed is if they record something private like having sex with someone and then put it on the internet to humiliate them. I can't believe people get away with that.

I'm a bit dismayed that your T said no. Did she tell you why? All of my Ts have been open to this, and thought it was a good idea. As I've said to them, I feel as though it gives me "more bang for my buck", meaning I get more out of therapy this way. Plus, it's MY therapy, and it's something that I find useful and important. I feel sad and disappointed for you.

I want to but afraid she'll say no.

me too. I might ask her today.

Did she give you a reason for saying no?

Sent from my LG-MS770 using Tapatalk

No, she didn't give me a reason. She said let's first try you taking notes and see how that goes. I should bring it up again.

i am worried that if i ask to record there will be more pressure on me to perform or there will be awkwardness between me and T.

I also hate the sound of my voice, although i guess hearing it might give me some feedback and i can try changing it. i tend to mumble more than i realise.

I did it yesterday I felt so scared going there as I was not sure if I want to continue the therapy with my T and I had no idea how he could react for it... It's stupid but I was afraid that he would hurt me somehow so I wanted to have a proof just in case... At the end the session went really well and he said some nice things, so I am just playing 3 minutes of the session again and again (btw I really hate my voice!)... But I feel really guilty, on one hand I could just delete it and pretend that I have never done it but on the other I know that I have to tell him that because recording someone without the knowledge is really not appropriate... And I really hope that it is not illegal in my country, could it be?? So next time I have to tell my T that I did it and why (he might get pretty angry that I was so afraid of him that I wanted to have a proof just in case he does something illegal/unethical), and I'll ask him if he wants me to delete it and if he says "yes" I know I will do that (without making any copy) but I really would love to keep these 3 minutes...

My T actually brought up recording our sessions last week. I don't know if she was serious though... We keep misunderstanding/misinterpreting each other...that's why she brought it up.

I hate the sound of my voice too. I hate being recorded in any way. I don't like talking on the phone, I don't like leaving vm's, I don't like getting my photo taken, I don't like being on video, I dont like skyping, etc. Now if my voice could be dubbed over...lol...I would LOVE to listen to a recording of my sessions!

My therapist wanted to start recording our sessions for his exam. I said yes and that I expected him to give me the recordings (email or usb) bevause I wanted them too. He disagreed and won't change his mind for.some reason. So we are not recording at all. But yes, it would be very valuable to me.

Oh, actually - I have recorded a therapy session I had with a therapist within a workshop. It was one session only but quite intense. In session, I had the impression that I talked too much (I often hold that belief about myself). As I listened to the recording, months after when I finally got it, I realized that I was actually talking a normal amount and the therapist also had room for his interventions and I was very okay in therapy. That realization would not have happened had I not listened to the recording.

Personally I wouldn't record my sessions, but that is all about me and has really nothing to do with my T.

I'm a musician, and in my life, the only times I have been recorded has been for critique or performance. I would not be at all comfortable recording a therapy session because I would feel like I have to "perform". I don't want to feel like I have to "do my best" in a session. That just defeats the whole process. That's just what has been instilled in me over my lifetime and I doubt I will ever shake that.