[kororain]

that you're too noisy?

I'm a pretty passionate person and when I get worked up, I don't really bother to control the volume or intensity of my voice in T's office. It's a multi-office clinic, so I'm certain other patients are probably right in the next room. But I've never heard them.

So maybe the walls are sound proofed. Or maybe everyone else just whispers.

I also laugh loudly though. So it's not always being upset/angry. It could also be hysterical laughter. I can just be loud. When I was younger, I used to be self-conscious about it, but I'm not really anymore. I just wonder after the fact if I was disturbing to someone else. Which I don't want to do.

Are you ever loud? Do you ever hear other people?

No, I'm not loud, and I never hear other people. They have classical music playing in the hallways where the offices are. Sometimes I notice the music, but I never hear voices which I am sure the music is there to prevent happening.

[unlockingsanity]

I can sometimes hear muffled voices from other clients. Sometimes, when in session, I can hear people in the main office area quite clearly - so I don't know how that works.

I'm most worried about how loud my T talks. Anytime he says things like "suicide" or "self harm" I wish he would whisper because it just seems like everyone is listening in.

[JustShakey]

Yeah, I do, but it's silly because in reality I'm too quiet. People have a hard time hearing me - when I speak at normal volume I feel like I'm shouting.

[HazelGirl]

Both my T and I are really loud people, so no, I don't worry about it.

[sailorboy]

Ha, I actually just asked my T if the walls were insulated recently. Everyone has a noise machine outside of their door so I imagine that helps.

[brillskep]

I get how you may be feeling because I'm passionate and speak loudly too. I do worry about this occasionally but I don't worry about volume in therapy. Then again, my therapist works alone so we're not bothering anyone. I've only once ever been in a therapy session in a multi-office setting as a client and I didn't worry about this then, probably because I wasn't hearing anyone and I just assumed they weren't hearing me either.

It's a tough situation, I think. You shouldn't have to censor yourself in therapy and at the same time I understand that everyone else in the building also needs silence. Perhaps if you are worried, you could check with your therapist what s/he thinks about this, perhaps ask for feedback if you're really talking that loud and if it might be an issue. At the very least, if it causes problems, you could use this as an opportunity to learn to have a context-appropriate speaking volume (and get loud elsewhere), or best case scenario perhaps you'll be told that it's okay, the building has very solid walls or something of the sort.

Anyway, I appreciate your thoughtfulness in asking yourself this question.

I am not loud. The thought of being heard feels abhorrent.
T works from home so that wouldn't happen anyway.
I'm always amazed at the amount of people, say, in a shop who talk at the top of their lungs so everyone can hear.
I tend to shrink when that happens.

[Raging Quiet]

My t has asked me not to shout as she has neighbours all around her in her private practice.

(Not that I would)

[kororain]

Originally Posted by _Mouse

I am not loud. The thought of being heard feels abhorrent.
T works from home so that wouldn't happen anyway.
I'm always amazed at the amount of people, say, in a shop who talk at the top of their lungs so everyone can hear.
I tend to shrink when that happens.

Just to be clear, I'm not a fan of loud talkers (in public) for no reason either. I'm talking about being passionate and uninhibited when discussing something that brings out strong emotions. Like therapy. Like with friends or family. Or maybe even at work if the situation presents itself.

I do laugh loudly though.