Making notes to take to session

Does anyone do write down what they want to talk about in your therapy session? I never write notes, but I have written my therapist letters when we first starting working together to explain some things. I always go into session with a brief idea what I want to talk about, usually the last few weeks' events and what not. But lately I feel like I'm forgetting things, leaving out things that might be important (SI/SH), and feel like I'm all over the place during session. I don't know if it would be helpful or not to write down just a few things and bring it in? It's something new so I feel very unsure about doing it.

Sure, I've taken in notes before. It helps me remember things, stay on topic, etc. If you take in notes and feel that the session is still all over the place, bring it up with T.

Good luck!

I almost always take notes in with me. My brain tends to jump from place to place, and I've found that I'll usually forget to mention something important if I don't have some notes.

I always take notes with me. I have a little notebook that fits in my purse. I could never rely on my memory. I am so anxious in sessions and I don't want to forget anything important. I think its a great idea to take notes or letters with you.

I do this too, especially if I'm afraid I'll lose the moment and forget something. Or if I need to prioritize what's most important to cover

Never taken notes.

Just record it

I like to bring notes. I might not always use them. But if there is something I absolutely do not want to forget to share, I write it down to bring to the appointment.

I do every time. If not, it takes me almost the entire hour to get passed my anxiety and to the important stuff. When it is written down we go there first.

Like cinnamonstick, I take a small notebook with me. It's got short notes that I jot during the week if something comes up that I want to be sure to cover in session or a question I want to ask my therapist. And I write her replies during session--sometimes the specific words so that I can remember because often I'll go back to read a few days later and be surprised by what she said or the way she said it. The mind usually condenses or paraphrases, and I like to have at least one or two things that were actually said. It gives me something to think about and, if I want to keep following that thread, I'll write down my thoughts/insights/questions for the following week, along with anything that happened.

The times that I've gone in without notes have not gone well. I like having that focus.

I usually take notes in- I generally just check them toward end to make sure that I won't regret forgetting to bring something up. It's extremely useful for me.

I also write notes/journal. He always asks what I want to talk about, so I had better be prepared. Lately, though I have come to resent the question not sure why. Makes me feel like what now, maybe one day I will be done talking.

Thank you all for your responses. My appointment is tomorrow morning and I will try bringing in some notes. Thinking of going to the store to get a small notebook that I can bring with like what was said.

I ended up jotting a few things down on a piece of paper before I went into my session today. Didn't end up pulling it out during session, but it still helped me knowing the basic things of what were in my head before I stepped in.

I always bring notes. And usually take notes while we're talking, too. Yesterday for some reason I didn't write a single word until we scheduled for next week at the end! That was unusual for me.