During my last session my T almost constantly put her hand in front of her chin (like a not-completely-closed fist, with the thumb resting underneath the chin). I don't know why, but it really bothered me a lot. I felt as if it was a sign of questioning what I was saying. But actually I have no idea what this kind of body language means. I could be completely wrong

Anyone has any idea about what it could mean?
And are there things your T does that bother you? How do you deal with it?

[stopdog]

I generally don't look at the therapist so I have no idea about her body language.

I don't know but it sort of sounds like she might be thinking, trying to work out what you're saying or working out how she should respond. Has she ever done it before?
My T sometimes closes his legs and turns them to one side when I say something that makes him uncomfortable (it's so obvious!) And when I say something really emotional or deep he looks at me with real intensity like he is almost completely submerged in what I'm saying (if that makes sense). Sometimes I wonder if I'm projecting that emotion on him, but he does look at me with an absorbed and almost emotional expression.

[HazelGirl]

Could you bring it up? You are assuming a whole lot from a simple gesture.

[NowhereUSA]

that sounds like a thinking position, not a questioning position. she may not have even been aware she was doing it. i'm pretty sure i've seen my t do something similar but never given it much thought.

Originally Posted by HazelGirl

Could you bring it up? You are assuming a whole lot from a simple gesture.

I think I'm definitely assuming a lot. But it was simply because it was there like 80% of the time that it was so obvious... and probably also bothering me so much. I haven't seen her doing this before. At least not for such an amount of time. I might be a bit paranoid though...

[AustenFan]

Um, well, I do it when I suddenly think OH NO I BET MY CHIN POCKET IS SHOWING!!!

<G>

[HazelGirl]

Originally Posted by Forwardinreverse

I think I'm definitely assuming a lot. But it was simply because it was there like 80% of the time that it was so obvious... and probably also bothering me so much. I haven't seen her doing this before. At least not for such an amount of time. I might be a bit paranoid though...

I do think you're being paranoid

[Bells129]

It doesn't sound like it, did you say something that made you feel self conscious that might have made you interpret it that way? To me it sounds like a thinking gesture.

[JustShakey]

Any chance she was mimicking something you didn't realize you were doing? I notice my T doing this sometimes. Might explain why you don't like it if she was trying to draw your attention to something you didn't want to notice?

[ThisWayOut]

I generally do that gesture if I'm intently listening and trying to process what is being said. It's also generally accompanied by leaning forward... My current T also does that (quite frankly it bothers me because we are in a tiny room and I like my space, her leaning forward makes things really tight and uncomfortable)
though I have also done it when I had a huge blemish on my chin and was really self-conscious about it...
JustShakey also has a point, she may be mirroring you or trying to bring your attention to somethign you do.

[SnakeCharmer]

I do that gesture when I'm in pain, having a conversation with someone and don't want the discomfort to show. It sort of relaxes the tightness of my mouth and jaw, keeping me from making a prune face.

There's also an accupressure point on the chin that helps with female things. I rest my index finger on it, with my hand in a semi-fist, with the thumb right under my chin. It's a much better option that rolling around in pain.

Is that a possibility?

[roimata]

I agree that her gesture sounds like a reflexive action in response to being engrossed in the conversation. Generally touching of the chin indicates thoughtfulness, so I would not necessarily concern myself with the minutiae of body language in that context.

That said it's difficult not to over-analyze things as simple as a finger on the underside of the chin when you're expressing vulnerable, intimate details of your life, but it's likely meaningless. When in doubt, address it with your therapist. That's the only way you will get a clear answer.

My therapist has generally open body language. When we are discussing something sensitive she leans in with her elbows on her knees and focuses on me with attentive fondness. I tend to scoot away and pack myself into the corner of the couch when she does that. Though I subconsciously mirrored her when she did this a short time ago. Tricksy therapistses.

[nottrustin]

I don't know about your T but when I do that I find it is because I am self conscience about something

I agree, probably it's nothing special. I had the feeling I was annoying her during the session, I think. And then I noticed this gesture. And of course, the more you're aware of it, the more you see it returning every x minutes.

I don't think it was mimicking really. I move my hands wayyyy too much when I talk, that's for sure. But I try to never touch my face really.

Still, I think it's pretty close to the gesture for doubting what someone is saying. Or am I this terrible with body language?

[NowhereUSA]

the way you describe it doesn't sound like 'doubting' anything. it sounds like you're reading into something, personally. like i said, if it's the gesture i think it is, it sounds like one people do when listening.

My pdoc usually has his arms crossed. This can mean someone is closed off or distancing himself. Or, if he's done courses in NLP (neurolinguistic programming), purposely trying to portray that (sort of a silent Back Off!). As he's very kind and engaging, I think it just means he finds it comfortable to sit like that.
I rarely look at my T so I have no idea how she sits.

A few years ago after a test at school the surveilling teacher (the teacher there to make sure we don't cheat) approached me the next day asking if I had been looking at my neighbour's paper (and thus cheating). I told him the truth: I have problems with my neck and had a really severe pain and I couldn't keep any normal position - or any position at all for longer than two minutes.

There can be a lot of reasons for what someone is doing. I wouldn't worry about it unless it happens a lot. If you want to bring it up discreetly, you can ask "Are you OK? You don't usually sit like that."

[msxyz]

When my therapist does something that somehow negatively affects me I tell him and then he'll stop.

[Crescent Moon]

Originally Posted by stopdog

I generally don't look at the therapist so I have no idea about her body language.

Where do you look?

[stopdog]

Originally Posted by Crescent Moon

Where do you look?

At the blank wall usually. Sometimes at the rug, but more usually straight off to the right side at the wall.

[Ford Puma]

Most therapists do play acting at some stage. Mirroring body movements looking shocked looking sad looking grumpy. nearly always to see how we react.
take no notice I would say.

[Crescent Moon]

Originally Posted by stopdog

At the blank wall usually. Sometimes at the rug, but more usually straight off to the right side at the wall.

Do you not like the intimacy of eye contact?

[stopdog]

I look at the woman directly when angry at her.
I don't consider eye contact intimate. I maintain eye contact with others in my real life.

[Petra5ed]

Body Language - Hand to face gestures

Based on this it sounds like she was contemplating that you were making a decision about whatever you were talking about, or maybe she was consciously trying to drop an unconscious hint for you to do so... But, if her hand covered her mouth then yes, could mean she thought you were lying.

[elliemay]

Originally Posted by Forwardinreverse

I agree, probably it's nothing special. I had the feeling I was annoying her during the session, I think. And then I noticed this gesture. And of course, the more you're aware of it, the more you see it returning every x minutes.

I don't think it was mimicking really. I move my hands wayyyy too much when I talk, that's for sure. But I try to never touch my face really.

Still, I think it's pretty close to the gesture for doubting what someone is saying. Or am I this terrible with body language?

I think it is more of a thinking gesture. Typically a doubting or skeptical pose is arms crossed over the chest.

I don't think you are paranoid, but I strongly suspect that you are projecting. I would talk to her about your fears of not being believed.

I think you will feel better when you do, although trusting that she believes you is something you will have accept. It's nothing that she can prove.