[wheeler]

To help(hopefully) with meh separation anxiety my T has suggested a transitional object, like maybe a picture, something that reminds me of her.
I am open to the idea, although it does feel a bit silly, but I'm not sure a picture will do it for me. I think I'd like something a little more meaningful, maybe something pocket-size that I could hold.
Any ideas? Does anyone else use transitional objects?

Thanks!

[Outcast_of_RGaol]

I'm not sure that I understand the nature of the separation between you two... are you currently unable connect with her or is this something that is going to have to be in the future?
If you still have contact, maybe something small in her office that has drawn your eye. That might recall times that you've spent in counseling.
If you do not have contact, perhaps something symbolic of her nature? A small round (rubbing) stone might signify strength; a string, knotted cord or bracelet might give a sense of security; something soft worn as a necklace might indicate a closeness to your heart?
idk... if you're anything like me you'd probably try to find something "perfect", which would be rare. But it sounds like a good idea and I hope that you find something that becomes perfect over time.

[unaluna]

My t once gave me a sports team coffee mug before he left on a business trip. Another trip, i asked him to take with him one of the puppets we use in our sessions (a tiny one). I imagined the puppet saying, "i object!" (T was testifying). Anyway yeah i still love my mug. Everytime i open my kitchen cupboard its like hes there!

[wheeler]

Sorry, let me see if I can clarify.

I still see my T about once a week but I have trouble/anxiety after I leave her office. Usually just lasts that day and the next, but it can be at times quite overwhelming. Not sure of the root cause but the transitional object would hopefully be a way to hang on to our connectedness. I do text her often and she's fine with that and it usually helps but she was thinking of adding something else too.
Tha ks

[unaluna]

Also i have the same set of dolls that we use in session, at home. They are max and carol from where the wild things are. The doll he took to court with him was a 6 inch carol, who rides a my little pony in session. The bigger ones we hold. He holds max.

[struggling2]

i seen my T once a week and also struggled with anxiety...that 45min wasnt enough. i needed that connection everyday. at some point at the end of a rough session she gave me a stuffed animal off her shelf in the office. ive kept it various places since but for awhile it was in my car and rode shotgun with me everywhere. ive slept with it too on hard nights. recently i moved and was struggling with the new house and settling in and texted her and she would text me back and tell me to get stuffed animal out and she was right there with me. best T ever.

my t has given me several things from her and we also have tons of pictures of us together. it helps.

[tametc]

Originally Posted by wheeler

To help(hopefully) with meh separation anxiety my T has suggested a transitional object, like maybe a picture, something that reminds me of her.
I am open to the idea, although it does feel a bit silly, but I'm not sure a picture will do it for me. I think I'd like something a little more meaningful, maybe something pocket-size that I could hold.
Any ideas? Does anyone else use transitional objects?

Thanks!

I had a photograph of my former T, taken with his permission. It helped a lot. Plus, since I tape my therapy sessions, early on I would listen to the tapes every night so I could fall asleep.

My current T has a container of polished stones that she keeps in her desk. She lets clients choose one to keep as a "pocket stone". I think I will tease her a bit next time I see her, and tell her I think she should give clients a choice between a stone and a marble, because sometimes I feel like I've lost my marbles!

[growlycat]

Main T would lend me books when he was on vaca then we would discuss on his return

I really wish I had thought of this before my T moved.... the closest thing I have, is that I brought my beloved little stuffed animal dog that my grandma gave me when I was 2 (I'm 51 now!) into a session once for comfort and she held it for a minute or so and said hello... so at least it's something that was in her office and she held it... boy that's really pathetic of me isn't it...

[AllyIsHopeful]

When I spoke with another T about my separation anxiety from current T, she suggested this. She told me to let T know and ask for a picture or something special we can share to in between sessions to alleviate the anxiety a bit.

I still haven't brought this up with my T because I'm not sure how. She also doesn't have her own office, she moves around a lot, so nothing in the offices belong to her.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[stopdog]

I don't think it is unusual. There is another forum where a lot of posters talk about such objects. I don't actually understand it, but it seems usual enough.

Originally Posted by wheeler

To help(hopefully) with meh separation anxiety my T has suggested a transitional object, like maybe a picture, something that reminds me of her.
I am open to the idea, although it does feel a bit silly, but I'm not sure a picture will do it for me. I think I'd like something a little more meaningful, maybe something pocket-size that I could hold.
Any ideas? Does anyone else use transitional objects?

How about a therapist doll? I have a patent request in to start my own business making and selling transitional object psychotherapy dolls. I'll carry MSWs, PhDs...even Psychiatrists.

No, in reality, I have a picture of former T. It helps. I don't have a transitional object for current T, but didn't feel like I needed one until this week.

Former T told me it's not that the significant other gives us the object, or the object itself that has the effect on us; rather, it's how the therapist treats it or relates to it before giving it to you that transfers it's calming effect.

T bought me a present the other day when we were out at the shopping centre. Something to keep in my room. Then today she had a great idea-- she got new tennis shoes and told me where she got them so i can go get the same ones and we will have matching shoes we have also taken some videos of us together the past few weeks. These will hopefully help my anxiety next week when she leaves.

Oh and i gave t a transitional object from ME that she always keeps in her purse gave her one before she left a few years ago and gave her one the other day.

...so I can see why a picture wouldn't do.

How about a small stuffed animal? Like a beanie baby.

[growlycat]

Skies, I love the doll idea. Maybe the dolls are creatures/friendly monsters posing as therapists Start your Etsy store now!!

Although this person has a head start…
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1263153...?ref=related-1

[Jdog123]

My T has a pretty bead bracelet that she once gave me as a transitional object when she went out of town. It's now become our ritual - either when she goes away or I do. I like it because I can wear it everyday, it's small, and it's hers so reminds me very much of her (I see her wearing it sometimes in session). She bought me a bracelet for Christmas one year and while I like it, it's not as special as her bracelet. So, in your case because you'll have the object all the time, perhaps there's something small from your T's office? My T has a bowl of stones with words like "peace" and "hope" engraved on them. These are nice because they are small.

[tametc]

Originally Posted by skies

How about a therapist doll? I have a patent request in to start my own business making and selling transitional object psychotherapy dolls. I'll carry MSWs, PhDs...even Psychiatrists.

Hmm...perhaps you could sell accessory kits containing voodoo pins, for those not-so-great therapy times...

[feralkittymom]

Former T told me it's not that the significant other gives us the object, or the object itself that has the effect on us; rather, it's how the therapist treats it or relates to it before giving it to you that transfers it's calming effect.

Exactly--why storytelling/reading time with a child's stuffed animal at bedtime is such a great thing to do with young kids!

[Brightheart]

I still have my former T's business card and will hold it in my hand occasionally.

Originally Posted by stopdog

I don't think it is unusual. There is another forum where a lot of posters talk about such objects. I don't actually understand it, but it seems usual enough.

For me, it's an attachment behavior. It helps me to feel connected with the person and to symbolically hold them close. I also find it soothing. I can go back to the space we shared that is held in my heart and I feel comforted by this. Plus I am able to connect with the good feelings that I have about the relationship and about myself. I find transitional objects very helpful during separations and to feel secure.

I think anything that reminds you of T and helps you would be great.

[wheeler]

Thanks for input everyone! I feel a little less silly!!
I would definitely like a picture with the two of us, but I really like the bracelet idea as well. I would like something I could hold, keep near me, but also something that meant something to her.
Guess we'll see where this takes us!

T and i came up with interesting transitional objects when we went to breakfast yesterday. We went to the store and bought matching shoes Her idea, she thought it was fun. Other times we have been apart for a long time we have gotten matching things also. That way when we see our own thing it will remind us of each other. Now its shoes! we also bought presents for each other this week

[junkDNA]

T gave me a stuffed animal moose to keep. i named it moosolini.

[Perna]

My T left me a note on the outside door the first day in a new building on how to get to the office and I saved that and kept it in my wallet a year or more. At some point I gave it "back" to her and told her the story of what I had done and how it had helped me. I would think of something meaningful to you that you feel "represents" T and make that into your own transitional object. I gave my T a tiny stuffed bear who was meaningful to me to keep for me until I asked for him back; that was helpful in many ways too (for example, it felt like he was being held hostage, that was entertaining to try and discuss with T. . . NOT :-)

[Outcast_of_RGaol]

Originally Posted by Perna

My T left me a note on the outside door the first day in a new building on how to get to the office and I saved that and kept it in my wallet a year or more. At some point I gave it "back" to her and told her the story of what I had done and how it had helped me. I would think of something meaningful to you that you feel "represents" T and make that into your own transitional object. I gave my T a tiny stuffed bear who was meaningful to me to keep for me until I asked for him back; that was helpful in many ways too (for example, it felt like he was being held hostage, that was entertaining to try and discuss with T. . . NOT :-)

What an awesome and creative mind you have!
I loved it!
So thank you for sharing that.