[ChickenNoodleSoup]

I had my weekly session today, during which at some point there was some silence. After a bit, T asked me whether silences like this made me feel nervous/stressed/uneasy? I replied that no, it does not (which is true, I kind of like it quiet even), but that I get the impression it makes him feel that way (mainly because he can't seem to tolerate silence, the most silence we've ever had is for maybe a minute).

My T just kind of chuckled at that. Not in a making fun of it way, it rather sounded like he was acknowledging that that actually happens for him, but he doesn't know what to say or doesn't feel comfortable hearing it. I didn't ask further, honestly I don't really care, I can tell him to shut up if I ever need him to.

But I was wondering what other Ts reactions are when you point out that they seem to have certain feelings or reactions? Just kind of curious.

[Echos Myron redux]

I say this kind of thing to my T a lot. He finds me very attuned to him, he even once said that he sometimes feels quite exposed because I am so attuned to him.
He will always reflect on this type of observation from me. If it resonates it he will say he thinks I'm right. If it doesn't ring true he'll often say something like "I wasn't consciously feeling that way, I'm not sure if you were picking up on something I'm not aware of, or if it's something else." and then he'll usually tell me what he's consciously feeling. He is unusually good with this kind of stuff.

[ElectricManatee]

Sometimes surprised amusement, especially when I'm correct. Over the years I've deduced things about her personality that aren't very visible in her therapist persona, like that she's really stubborn and independent. Often she briefly confirms or denies my suspicions. Sometimes if I'm way off base, usually when I'm ascribing negative reactions or feelings to her that aren't there, we talk about why I might misinterpret how she is feeling. Therapy is all about me, but I don't think she minds being "known" by me when something comes up in the room. She once told me that I am "pretty frickin' perceptive," so maybe I have her pegged more often than she admits.

[coolibrarian]

In earlier years with my T, she would ask me why I felt she was feeling a certain way.
But now she will answer the question, acknowledging what she is feeling.

[junkDNA]

t usually tells me how he feels "I feel very sad" or "I feel very angry at your parents"

when I felt pretty disconnected from him and that he seemed disengaged I mentioned it. he admitted burn out. he said my perceptions are accurate but that it wasn't about me in particular

t is pretty honest and open with me

[nottrustin]

Only once I have told T what I thought what I thought they were feeling. Not because I don't know but I just didn't want to assume and be wrong.

The one time I did was when the fire alarm went off at the beginning of a session after figuring out the cause and talking to others we decided to ignore it. She said she was fine but it was up to me. I had no desire to go out. I could tell she was nervous so after asking her a couple of times I finally asked if she was really okay because ahe seemed nervous. She agreed she was and she realized why so she was fine..we moves on and I could tell she was no longer nervous

My T usually sets me straight, sometimes sternly, sometimes with a chuckle. Other times she challenges why I think she feels that way and helps me work it without ever confirming or denying.