[summer.in.paris]

If this is a repeat, I apologize, I couldn't find it in a search.

I have seen a psychiatrist in the past, for many years. He was not a good fit, but that is a long story. I have a new psychiatrist; I have been going for about two months now. Progress has been slow. It has been a once a week, sitting up in a chair, visit situation. Without going too much into my situation, he asked "is there something you aren’t telling me?" The answer was yes, because I didn’t want to talk about it. Of course I finally divulged and cried. He then said "we should meet two times a week, and you should lie down on the couch". I said I preferred sitting up, but he insisted I try the couch next time. OK, so the issue… I am so completely and utterly bothered by the idea of the couch. I trust him, that is not the issue. I am not sure why it bothers me, I don’t get it. I prefer the chair… and really, if it is about eye contact, I can look away. Anyone else have this situation? Fear? I don’t get why it bothers me so much.

[brokenwarrior]

I would not like lying down during therapy. It puts you in a more vulnerable state. So I understand your fear of the couch. I would much rather sit or curl myself in a ball.

[stopdog]

I think there are a couple of people here who have tried lying down and do seem to find it useful.
I would not do it.

[NowhereUSA]

If you're not comfortable, don't do it. At the very least, try to get his reasoning behind doing it. I've been with my T long enough now that I feel like if he asked (or if he had a couch), I'd give it a go. But early on? No way.

[dancinglady]

I think in therapy we have to be very vunerable almost child like. It just seemed to bring my issues to the surface. I trusted my T very much so I was not scared. In fact I was the one that wanted to lie down in therapy.

[summer.in.paris]

Thank you all for your responses. I will try, but am not sure I won't sit up a few times... Nothing ventured nothing gained. I will let you know how it goes.

[wotchermuggle]

You are brave to try. To me, that is being way too vulnerable.

[ThisWayOut]

I would not be comfortable with it, but give it a shot. it might be good

[summer.in.paris]

The first couch session will be this Wednesday. Will post on this thread how it went. I keep going back forth, but, well, one try is worth it. If it doesn't work, no one can make me do it again. Fingers crossed.

Good luck, NYCK. I have lain down in session for over a year and it has been a very positive experience for me. I wrote a little about it here when I first started: http://forums.psychcentral.com/psych...reclining.html

I've gone back to sitting up a couple of times, for a session or two, and that has been fine, too. It feels important to me to know that nothing is set in stone and the decision whether to sit or lie during a particular session is entirely my own.

[RedSun]

Wow, very brave, hope it goes well!
My t doesn't have a couch anyway...suppose I could lie on the floor with the cat...

[feralkittymom]

When I read the thread title, I thought that the psychiatrist disclosed a fear of couches!

That said, if you want to try, go for it. But I think you can feel fine about changing your mind at any time. As long as you're willing to talk about how the thought makes you feel, and to explore that, I think your T will accept it.

[summer.in.paris]

OK. So I had my session today. I had nervously anticipated that my T would make me use the couch because he seemed very serious about going that direction. When I got there, I walked in, sat down in the chair, looked at him and started talking. He didn't say a word about the couch! The session went better than others. The funny thing is, now, since he didn't insist, I want to try the couch! Go figure. Thanks everyone for the responses, I appreciate it.