[precaryous]

I am recovering from a medical issue. It was a big deal.
I wrote this to T.

"Dear T,

I was sooooooo glad to see you. If nothing extraordinary happens between now and Friday, I'd like to simply lean on (the stuffed animal) relax and listen to you talk about anything for the hour...we could even record it.

There is something healing about just sitting in the here and now feeling comforted and safe. Gosh, to feel comforted and safe for an hour..."

T wrote back:

"When we meet on Friday, we can talk about anything that makes you feel comforted. (Stuffed animal) is quietly (?) waiting and you are in my thoughts."

Can anyone else imagine (going through a crisis, maybe) feeling comforted and safe just by listening to T talk about anything...no pressure? I have never tried it before. Maybe it's a dumb idea.

[DelusionsDaily]

I've never done it...but do what works for you. Thats what is important to do what is best for you. I hope you find what you are looking for at your next session.

[yagr]

For what it is worth, I think it is a fantastic idea to be safely in the presence of a calming and trusted person without the pressure to talk. In fact, early in our relationship I remember telling my wife that I could sit on a porch swing with her for an hour, never say a word and have it be the best conversation of my life. It was simply about being comfortable enough to not have to talk or entertain her.

[BayBrony]

I love listening to my T talk. This would totally be healing for me.

[Waterbear]

I don't think it is a dumb idea, I think it sounds lovely and if it is good for you then you should do it. That email in itself would be healing for me. I am thinking of doing something similar for my last session with current T. I was thinking of taking my Eeyore in and asking her to hold him while we just sit, maybe even in silence. Take care.

[precaryous]

Originally Posted by Waterbear

I don't think it is a dumb idea, I think it sounds lovely and if it is good for you then you should do it. That email in itself would be healing for me. I am thinking of doing something similar for my last session with current T. I was thinking of taking my Eeyore in and asking her to hold him while we just sit, maybe even in silence. Take care.

My T would totally hold your Eeyore. She says she loves stuffed animals. She tells me little stories -about the three animals that I leave there- they go on adventures during the week while I am away. *L*
Pre

[skeksi]

I used to get overwhelmed a lot in my sessions. It helped sometimes if I asked T to talk about something else--I would get frozen and wouldn't be able to lead the conversation. He would prattle on about his garden or the weather or what he saw on his walk into work. It was comforting. Eventually I'd be ready to reconnect and talk with him again, even if it was about non-therapy stuff.

Sometimes we need a break. Sometimes we need the connection more than anything that happens in conversation.

[UglyDucky]

Originally Posted by precaryous

I am recovering from a medical issue. It was a big deal.
I wrote this to T.

"Dear T,

I was sooooooo glad to see you. If nothing extraordinary happens between now and Friday, I'd like to simply lean on (the stuffed animal) relax and listen to you talk about anything for the hour...we could even record it.

There is something healing about just sitting in the here and now feeling comforted and safe. Gosh, to feel comforted and safe for an hour..."

T wrote back:

"When we meet on Friday, we can talk about anything that makes you feel comforted. (Stuffed animal) is quietly (?) waiting and you are in my thoughts."

Can anyone else imagine (going through a crisis, maybe) feeling comforted and safe just by listening to T talk about anything...no pressure? I have never tried it before. Maybe it's a dumb idea.

Yes, I've had that experience. It's not a dumb idea. I wish a speedy recovery for you.

There were a few times when our sessions were nothing but just talking about pretty much nothing, often T doing most of the talking. Sometimes we just need to decompress more than anything, and that can be hard to do in our regular lives. It makes sense that in that safety and isolation of that session, our T's could help us just decompress if we are having trouble doing that on our own.

My t and i do this often. Very comforting.

[AllHeart]

Absolutely!! I have found great comfort just relaxing with my t, listening to her talk about anything and everything, and, even in silence. She has been my compassionate witness many times and it's always provided me with feelings of comfort, security, and belonging.

Let us know how it goes for you is it happens!!

[LonesomeTonight]

Particularly with my marriage counselor, just being in his presence can often be healing. I recall a post where I said we could probably just sit there and look at each other for like 15 minutes and not say anything, and it would be incredibly healing. Or if we just talked about something random, like sports. T to a somewhat lesser extent. But yeah, especially if you don't feel up to really talking about stuff with you, then just going and listening to your T or talking about random stuff makes sense.

[stopdog]

Although I don't find the therapist that way, I don't think it is a bad idea if you find the therapist or appointment with the therapist to be a place where you could feel safe. I think it is a good idea to take charge and do what you think would be useful for you.

[justdesserts]

Having a therapist witness my pain is healing. Although he doesn't have stuffed animals, he recently redecorated his office, and the blanket I used to use was "retired", but he has saved it for me, and that is my comfort item each time I visit his office.

[Argonautomobile]

I would totally do this. I like doing this with people in my life. Once in a while I can get my husband to read to me, and it's the most soothing thing ever to just sit and listen to his voice.

[JaneTennison1]

I can imagine after suffering a trauma (sudden health issue) just wanting to find peace and comfort in a place you feel safe. You don't always have to work at something, I think sometimes it's ok to pause and feel safe.

[Cinnamon_Stick]

My therapists voice is very comforting. I record my sessions and have recordings she has made and I will sit and listen to her voice for a long time to feel safe. In sessions I can sit and listen to her talk for hours and never get bored. Its so comforting and make me feel so safe to just sit with her and hear her voice.

[junkDNA]

yes, i can. when i was in a residential treatment center (which is where i met my T) he would let me lay or sit on his couch sometimes while he worked on his computer.

[PinkFlamingo99]

The other day I broke down badly while talking to my pastor, and she said "instead of trying to talk, why don't you just let me sit here and be here for you while you cry?" It helps a lot having someone I love and trust just being there with me to help me hold the pain.