[WanderingBark]

I've only been seeing my T for a few weeks, but I really look forward to our sessions. I find that I really miss my T when I'm not in session. Has anyone else gone through this? If so, what 'tricks' do you have for passing the time between sessions?

Thanks

[Argonautomobile]

'Tricks' used to pass time in general work pretty well for me. I try to do something that involves using my hands (or, you know, just not sitting in front of the computer/tv). Embroidery is my new favorite; gardening has worked pretty well; making myself get up and go for a walk; that sort of thing.

Really, any sort of hobby-like thing that reminds me to actually live my life instead of living my life between sessions.

If I'm insecure about time between sessions specifically because I want to see my T. I might give myself permission to look at my appointment card for x amount of time or write a letter to my T. for x amount of time before moving on to something else.

Hope that helps.

Take care.

[WanderingBark]

This does help, especially the letter suggestion.

Do you show your T the letters you wrote? I'm considering it...

Originally Posted by Argonautomobile

'Tricks' used to pass time in general work pretty well for me. I try to do something that involves using my hands (or, you know, just not sitting in front of the computer/tv). Embroidery is my new favorite; gardening has worked pretty well; making myself get up and go for a walk; that sort of thing.

Really, any sort of hobby-like thing that reminds me to actually live my life instead of living my life between sessions.

If I'm insecure about time between sessions specifically because I want to see my T. I might give myself permission to look at my appointment card for x amount of time or write a letter to my T. for x amount of time before moving on to something else.

Hope that helps.

Take care.

[Cinnamon_Stick]

I always miss my T between sessions and I have three weeks between them. What has helped me is staying busy with other people and hobbies you might have. The more busy you are the faster time goes by and you are in there office again.

[ManOfConstantSorrow]

Well I keep a mood journal, gaze at my CBT list of unhelpful behaviours and observe my emotions with a guilt-free curiosity. On a good day.

[AnaWhitney]

I have weekly sessions. The day of and after a session I do a lot of processing and reflecting on the work that was done. I write a lot about what came up for me, then I put it all away for a few days, live my normal life and then 2 days before my next session I start trying to get back in that frame of mind again. I might write about what I want to talk about next session and I'll perfect what I wrote about after last session.
So this leaves only 3 - 4 days of normal life before I start preparing again, so it's doesn't seem that long really!

Have a husband, 3 sons, two dogs, a house to maintain, and teach full-time . . . LOL. That kind of chaos passes the time very quickly. Just playin'.

Barring those kinds of distractions, seriously, find outlets for your time that get you out of the house and preferably around other people. I love book stores, so, with or without other people, I can get lost in a book store for hours at a time. Have a dog? Get into a routine of walking the dog at least once a day. Can you afford a exercise membership? Our city activity center is really very nice and quite affordable and has access to classes, swimming, exercise equipment . . .

Find things NOT therapy-related as much as possible. Try to spend time out of your head space.

[Cinnamon_Stick]

Originally Posted by AnaWhitney

I have weekly sessions. The day of and after a session I do a lot of processing and reflecting on the work that was done. I write a lot about what came up for me, then I put it all away for a few days, live my normal life and then 2 days before my next session I start trying to get back in that frame of mind again. I might write about what I want to talk about next session and I'll perfect what I wrote about after last session.
So this leaves only 3 - 4 days of normal life before I start preparing again, so it's doesn't seem that long really!

My sessions are usually every three weeks but I do the same thing. The day of my session I write my feelings down in my therapy journal, listen to my session again and process and reflect about what was talked about.

Work keeps me busy most of the time. When I'm not at work, I tend to get lost in the land of YouTube. I also love to go to the store and just take my time and look at everything. I have word searches, Sudoku puzzles, adult coloring sheets, etc. to help occupy my mind as well. Find something that relaxes you, and DO IT.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I spend time with my fiance and/or family. I play with my dogs. I clean house, scrapbook, paint, crochet. What I wish I could do is go swimming everyday at my community's pool, but I'm afraid to go alone... I also need to get back into walking everyday. Other than that, I sleep to waste time. Oh, and I also have group therapy.

[Inner_Firefly]

I completely understand! Me too, I miss T between sessions! I invented an imaginary points system. How it works: I do things that would make T proud. Such as, working towards my goals, doing something constructive and positive, etc. So that by the time the session comes I can feel proud and have good news to show and tell.

Of course T says it's not necessary to go to a session with anything to show off, but I still like to play this game keep busy, take my mind off worrying/ missing my T too much, and generally make myself feel better.

[WanderingBark]

Wow, thanks so much everyone! There are many awesome suggestions here that give me something to look forward to everyday while also not 'punishing' myself for missing/thinking about T & therapy.

Now that I think about it, this week was a particularly lazy week for me because I skipped my exercise routines looks like I should get back into the swing of things at the gym/pool!

Please keep the suggestions coming if you have them.

[spring2014]

hi bark ,
coping skills that my therapist taught me . here is my list of coping skills:
For High Anxiety
1) Physical activity
2) Deep breathing
3) Mindfulness box
4) Guided imagery
5) Progressive muscle relaxation exercises
6) Diversions and distractions
7) Counteracting thoughts
a. think positive
8) Relaxation techniques
9) Journaling
10) Mindfulness meditation
11) STOP technique







Diagnosis: Anxiety and depression
meds : Cymbalta 90mgs at night
Vistrail 2 25 mgs daily for anxiety prn
50 mgs at night for insomnia

[Argonautomobile]

Originally Posted by WonderingBark

This does help, especially the letter suggestion.

Do you show your T the letters you wrote? I'm considering it...

Sometimes. More often not, but every time I have shared a letter, it always went really well. Very productive sessions.

If you're thinking about sharing via letter, I would absolutely encourage it. I usually go in and either read it out loud or have T. read it, but I know other people share via e-mail between sessions, so you might be able to do that, too.