My T asked me to write out what happened during a traumatic incident in as much detail as I could remember. I couldnt read it to my T and I didnt want to discuss last session so I gave it to her as I was walking out the door.... But I didnt discuss with her what would happen to the writing I gave her...

I really want it back now. I really want to have it back. I think if I could just ask she would give it back because it wasnt a big deal and she didnt even suggest talking about it this session. So it wasnt a big deal to her either.

Have you asked for things back that you gave your T? What did your T do? Did you get the items back?

[ThisWayOut]

I had art done in t that I had her keep at the time. She gave it back when I asked for it. I think have not yet found a t who refused top return something to me when asked.

[HazelGirl]

She probably did want to discuss it, but wanted you to bring it up, not her.

I asked for things back that I had written to my t and he gave them to me.

[granite1]

yes I did and she gave it back to me but wanted to talk about what it meant that I wanted it back. she was worried that I was trying to make it disappear and not deal with it.

[guilloche]

Thanks for asking this.... I haven't yet, but I'm feeling really uncertain about things with this T. I gave him something very important, and think I want it back... so I can give it to the next T instead of torturing myself rewriting it!!

[lilypup]

Yes, T should return items you request.

[BonnieJean]

I've asked for things back and t has given them back.

[InRealLife45]

Originally Posted by Readytostop

My T asked me to write out what happened during a traumatic incident in as much detail as I could remember. I couldnt read it to my T and I didnt want to discuss last session so I gave it to her as I was walking out the door.... But I didnt discuss with her what would happen to the writing I gave her...


I really want it back now. I really want to have it back. I think if I could just ask she would give it back because it wasnt a big deal and she didnt even suggest talking about it this session. So it wasnt a big deal to her either.


Have you asked for things back that you gave your T? What did your T do? Did you get the items back?

My t has generally refused to return letters given to her bc she wants to put them In My chart. Which I disagree about.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[stopdog]

Generally, in the US, if a letter is placed into the US mail system - the physical thing belongs to the recipient.
If concerned about physical copies being left with a therapist, then I would read it to them or use as a reference for what I wanted to say. OR show them on an ipad or laptop or something or just say before handing it to them - I would like you to read this but only if you assure me you will return it to me after reading.

That is what I wished I had done... It's really upsetting me to think she might not give it back... I think if she refuses to give it back that would be the end of my seeing her.

I am pissed at myself for not clarifying it before I handed it over.... Now I'm seriously anxious and Wednesday seems like an eternity.

[InRealLife45]

Originally Posted by stopdog

Generally, in the US, if a letter is placed into the US mail system - the physical thing belongs to the recipient.
If concerned about physical copies being left with a therapist, then I would read it to them or use as a reference for what I wanted to say. OR show them on an ipad or laptop or something or just say before handing it to them - I would like you to read this but only if you assure me you will return it to me after reading.

I've never mailed her anything, the letters I give her in session. Or email and ask her to delete but she keeps/saves everything.

[Abe Froman]

She automatically gave mine back next session without me asking. But it wasn't a big deal to me like something hand written, it was a printed off email letter I had written several years ago.

[iheartjacques]

I've showed t emails and texts in my phone. So I haven't actually given snything to him.

Just to follow up... I asked for my writing back.... She asked if we could talk about it which I said I would after I had it back. She handed it back and I even asked if she made a copy to which she said no.... Then she asked what made me want it back. She said I would still remember it and she would still remember it so it not undoing writing it... I just told her that I felt better just having it....

I thought I would rip it up but I haven't yet.

Good for you! I am glad she gave it back.

[feralkittymom]

I'm glad she gave it back as that's what you wished. I gave my T lots of hand written papers during sessions--episodes I couldn't speak about--and he always pro-actively asked after reading if I wanted him to keep it. I did. It seemed important to me that he hold the record of those memories, and I think I also wanted to get them away from me in some way. He kept them in my file until the time came for him to shred my file in accordance with regulations.

[ombrétwilight]

Originally Posted by guilloche

Thanks for asking this.... I haven't yet, but I'm feeling really uncertain about things with this T. I gave him something very important, and think I want it back... so I can give it to the next T instead of torturing myself rewriting it!!

I type my letters on Google Docs so I can just print them out and give them to T with a permanent copy for myself. Though I must say I have never re-read them as they're just too embarrassing! I think if I have a new T I would re-write the letter because I am never satisfied with my expression. Besides, I would have new insights to add in.

[ombrétwilight]

Originally Posted by Readytostop

Just to follow up... I asked for my writing back.... She asked if we could talk about it which I said I would after I had it back. She handed it back and I even asked if she made a copy to which she said no.... Then she asked what made me want it back. She said I would still remember it and she would still remember it so it not undoing writing it... I just told her that I felt better just having it....

I thought I would rip it up but I haven't yet.

I'm happy for you that she returned them Once I did art therapy and I asked my T whether I should throw the "art" away (it looked like a 1st grader's doodle of a fish) and she was like NO!! I don't know what she did with it and have never seen it again, nor have I asked for it back.