T has suggested that I do this and I think it's a good idea because I am very shy in front of her and sometimes can't find the right words in therapy, so maybe it would help if I read something I prepared earlier.

One of the things I want to read is a journal entry about how I crave a certain type of physical contact - hugging. I don't get this from my girlfriend and I daydream about it, particularly when I am in bed. Should I tell this to T?

Anway I leave the discussion open on this topic for everyone. Reading journal entries to T. What have your experiences been?

[archipelago]

In my therapy, any material is encouraged. There is always something there to be explored. I've brought in poems and musings, even papers. But I tend not to bring in my journal. I guess since I was so shy and only wrote for so long I'm trying to use the face to face to actually talk. I may read my journal right before session and say basically the same stuff, but in a different way. I kinda like the challenge of that.

When I have shared writing I actually have asked my therapist to read it aloud. I like the sound of his voice and I can see his reactions more clearly when he pauses over a sentence or stops to make a comment. This has been a good thing to do because he learns about an aspect of me that doesn't come across when talking. I'm a good writer and love language so when he reads something like that he really gets that. And it's a big part of who I am so the only way for him to tap into that is through writing.

I absolutely refuse to read out loud to her. I hand her my journal and very specifically point out exactly what she can and cannot read. Then I watch her eyes to make sure she doesn't try to read anything else. Ha! I have sworn up and down that I will never read out loud, though.

[Daeva]

I do this with my T, it's very helpful and easier for me to open up with her!

[PeeJay]

I write (type) essays for the session. I print two copies and let T read along as I read aloud. It is a great way to open up. For me, at least.

[archipelago]

I have done similar things, especially at the beginning when we didn't know each other. It worked quite well.

I take my journal and read parts, sometimes I just have notes so I dont forget what I wanted to discuss. Its very helpful to our sessions.

[Big Mama]

I take my journals to T w/ me. She reads them, but most of he time they involve very deep subject matter and I can only write some of the things. The few times that I read them out loud I ended up crying. But that is just my experience. That is how we start every session with my T reading what I have dealt with during he week or things that might have laid heavily on my heart.

[Karrebear]

I do this all the time! I tend to forget everything that I wanted to talk about once I enter her doors, so I bring in what I write. Very helpful for me. She makes me read it to her though (which I hate). But yes, I say go for it!!

[Amandasmom]

I have been wanting to tell my T something for months. I didn't have the nerve. I have social anxiety. I finally wrote it down on paper. At the next session she saw me struggling to say something to her. She then asked if she can read it. Which I was so glad she did. I recommend this way if you can't tell her directly.

[Ambra]

I have a hard time opening as well and write way better than how I talk. So since I tend to forget what I really wanted to say the very moment I walk through that door, I usually write something down.
I've never showed T my journal but I usually re-write the significant parts of it on a separate sheet to avoid handing her the whole thing or just in case she wants to keep it. I usually read it aloud and I resume it a bit.

I was not sure if I could bring my stuff in at the beginning. I wanted to show her my drawings cause they're clearer about how I feel than any of my word, but I was too shy so I tried with photos first. and since she seemed very pleased to finally see some material from me, I'll definitely try with drawings next time.