Sharing photographs with your therapist

Photographs as therapy? Photographic Therapy.

Um, again, no. I have never had a shrink/therapist suggest that I bring in photographs. It never occurred to me, either. I have a very brief description of my ex-wife that I share (imagine a short version of Kirsten Dunst but with a better nose) but I’ve never thought of taking in a photo of her.

And I went through a couple of “lost everything” episodes in my life. I have just a few photos or other items that are pre-2011. Even pre-1999.

I believe that I think of photographs as too personal to share with anyone. I can speak of disturbing intimate matters but I believe that photos can trap other’s souls and that the still photo shows nothing concerning anyone’s true likeness.

I cannot even entertain the possibility of bringing in photographs of my younger self. I was just a kind of ****ed up abnormal kid who managed to fool almost everyone. I kinda feel as if the description of myself that I speak of is more important than my lacrosse team photo.

Wooo! I know what’s really bothering me! This reminds me of No Exit! Although I was extraordinarily interested in photography, I wasn’t the type of person to sit and show interest in anyone’s holiday photos.

I’m doubling down on my ‘no.’

I have a few times. She asked if I could bring in a picture of my mom so she could put a face to the person who was my safe person. When I told her how much weight I had lost (90 lbs) she couldn't in one me being that big so I brought her in a picture. When my kids graduated high school I brought in a few senior pictures to share. Occasionally, if I send an email, I will throw in a recent picture.

Occasionally, she will put a picture in an email usually flowers from her many gardens or her dog. She did be on in a couple of pictures of her and her son when he got married

I have brought some pictures from childhood once and it was a really nice session. It was interesting how much he could tell from those picture, things I didn't even realize but were true. Like how my happy smile disappeared around age 7, which could be because of school and kids not being so nice to me cause I was heavier. He also said my father looks very distant which I know it's true, I just didn't think one could tell from the picture. He was asking me what I felt in those pictures etc. which I didn't really know how to answer. it was an interesting session.

Many, many times. She has seen hundreds of photos because I use the photos when I talk about people in my past.