[xRavenx]

I have a new T, and I just find this set up to be a little bit unusual...

My T sits at a big desk, and it is a barrier between us. I just sit in an office chair. I think it sort of creates even more of a power dynamic than there already is, if that makes sense. I've had plenty of pdocs where there is a desk between us, but never a therapist. It makes the therapeutic environment kind of cold and more like an interview. I only met with her once so far.

Has anyone else been to a therapist in the past who was set up like that?

My past therapists had couches and comfy chairs, which created a more "open" environment. Do you find your therapist's office to be set up in a way that is comfortable and therapeutic?

[satsuma]

Yes it does sound like it would create a kind of unhelpful power dynamic scenario, and also for me it would feel very cold and clinical - one person may be pouring out their soul while the other- the therapist - sits at the desk and works.
I’m just wondering if maybe she does that just for the first session so that she can make notes?
I would also find it strange and not helpful.

[sophiebunny]

My therapist sits in an overstuffed chair and I sit on a comfy couch. I kick my shoes off, and curl up on the comfy couch. She serves me tea. Very inviting environment.

[xRavenx]

Originally Posted by satsuma

Yes it does sound like it would create a kind of unhelpful power dynamic scenario, and also for me it would feel very cold and clinical - one person may be pouring out their soul while the other- the therapist - sits at the desk and works.
I’m just wondering if maybe she does that just for the first session so that she can make notes?
I would also find it strange and not helpful.

I guess I'll find out next session if that is how it will continue to be. From the way her office is set up, I have a feeling that it'll remain the same. She's a PhD, so I wonder if it has something to do with her training, since I am typically used to LCSW's (I don't want to assume that most PhD therapists are set up like that, but it makes me wonder about the differences in their background and training, compared to LPC counselors/LCSW social workers).

Then again... come to think about it, I just remembered I had a PhD therapist very briefly when I was a teen, and she sat on a couch across from me with no barrier, so perhaps for unknown reasons, this current therapist just has a different approach.

[NP_Complete]

Sitting behind a desk would be a deal breaker for me. My therapist (PsyD) sits in his chair across from the couch. Actually, he moved to sit in his office chair several months ago because there was too much distance between us. One day I told him I needed him to sit closer that day and, although I wasn't asking for a permanent move, he has sat there ever since. He wheels his chair right up to the couch when things get intense. How are you supposed to open up to someone when there's a giant physical barrier between you? I don't think I'd even like a coffee table between us.

[RainbowSadness]

My therapist's office is tiny, smaller than most walk-in closets. It only has two chairs and they're both crummy swirly chairs. The was a love-seat but it's been covered by books. I don't like it but I don't think it's T's fault. The program is very disorganized, he has to share rooms with other employees who are all very busy. There's hardly a session that goes by without another therapist walking in on us. To be frank, the set up is kinda...ghetto. Last session he took me on a walk and it was a nice change in pace from his crummy work space.

I try to be patient cause I know it's not his fault but it does kinda suck. My last therapist who worked in the same clinic but in a different section had a huge roomy office with couches, shelves, art supplies, etc. My T has the short end of the stick, it's actually kind of sad. The program he works in is an intensive program for people at risk of foster care, jail, etc, and it makes me think that his clients are seen as lesser for their severe issues.

The way therapists operate range hugely from professional to professional. Some like a more stern setting, others like a more comforting one. Just depends on the person and the pool of clients they're interesting in serving. This is way it can be so hard to find a therapist that fits. They're people who pour their personalities into their work.

[~Christina]

My T’s desk is rather messy it’s against the wall so there nothing between us, he turns from it in a typical office chair. There is a love seat .. He has dimmed lighting. Typical bookcase. Pictures in the office were done by patients. It smells like a dusty old book store. A smell I love and is comforting.

[Lonelyinmyheart]

I'm assuming your T isn't a psychiatrist/Pdoc? Just read that she has a PhD so that could certainly be influencing her.

Most ts don't place a desk between themselves and the client for all the reasons you mention. It creates an uncomfortable power dynamic, it makes it harder for the client to open up, it can even make the t seem distant and unreachable.

If you're not happy with this it would be worth looking for another T.

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by xRavenx

I guess I'll find out next session if that is how it will continue to be. From the way her office is set up, I have a feeling that it'll remain the same. She's a PhD, so I wonder if it has something to do with her training, since I am typically used to LCSW's (I don't want to assume that most PhD therapists are set up like that, but it makes me wonder about the differences in their background and training, compared to LPC counselors/LCSW social workers).

Then again... come to think about it, I just remembered I had a PhD therapist very briefly when I was a teen, and she sat on a couch across from me with no barrier, so perhaps for unknown reasons, this current therapist just has a different approach.

I would also be bothered by a T sitting at a desk, with me on the other side of the desk. My T's office is very calming, with multiple seating options for the client (chair further from T, couch closer to T, where I sit). I'm not sure that it's about the PhD--both my current T and my former marriage counselor have PhDs (Licensed Psychologists), and neither of them have a desk between themselves and the clients (the desk is against a wall in both offices, so not even an option). I sit/sat on a couch in both, with T in a chair across from me (or, in the case of ex-MC, to the right, so it was like an L-shape with H, me, and ex-MC).

What's the setup of the office like? Is there another chair or place your T could sit? You could try saying something--maybe even like, "I'm used to having T's sit in a chair across from me rather than at a desk, so this feels awkward for me." And then see how your T reacts--maybe they'll offer to move? If they say "This is just how I sit," then you'll have to decide if it's a dealbreaker.

ETA: In terms of p-docs (psychiatrists), I've actually only seen one who sat at a desk across from me, and he was older and also quite old-school (he didn't even use a computer or have any Internet in his office--and seemed proud of that--this was like 5 years ago!), and I only saw him once. The other 4 or so I've seen also sat in a chair across from me, no desk in between.

[susannahsays]

This is a very unusual setup for a therapist. However, I wonder if she is perhaps an administrator or director at an agency/clinic/practice/hospital where you see her? If so, that would be the reason - her primary job would not be that of a therapist. Or perhaps she is in academia and you are seeing her on the campus of a university? Again, that would be an instance where clinical work would probably not be what she does most of the time.

Just some ideas.

[nottrustin]

I second that it may be just the initial appointment. My initial appointment with current to she sat at her desk and I was next to it, in an office chair. She wrote a lot of information.

Since then we sit in another year me in a somewhat comfortable chair and she on an exercise ball. Shr rarely writes anything down.

[xRavenx]

Originally Posted by susannahsays

This is a very unusual setup for a therapist. However, I wonder if she is perhaps an administrator or director at an agency/clinic/practice/hospital where you see her? If so, that would be the reason - her primary job would not be that of a therapist. Or perhaps she is in academia and you are seeing her on the campus of a university? Again, that would be an instance where clinical work would probably not be what she does most of the time.

Just some ideas.

She is in a private practice setting, so it's definitely not a setting where she is a director. If that were the case, it would explain a few things. Maybe she just has a different approach, but the setting has a "colder" vibe to it. Not sure if it's a deal breaker for me yet, but I'll have to feel it out.

As of now, I am going to see if I feel comfortable as time goes on, since I only had one session with her. Although she seems nice, I get a feeling she has more of a "technical" approach and off the bat wants me to make changes. It seems a little intimidating right now, because I'd rather receive more validation and understanding in the beginning, instead of just jumping into changing all of my thoughts and behaviors. I know that is getting off topic from my original post, but just felt the need to share.

[Mountaindewed]

My T’s office is very messy. She has toys all over the floor and her bookcase is overfilling with crayons and papers and books. Her desk is also pretty messy. I think one time her garbage was overfilling. It doesn’t bother me because I am the same way. She uses her computer though when I’m meeting with her which I find a little odd. She says she’s clicking through files. Whatever that means.

[stopdog]

I never thought of the therapist's office as a therapeutic space of any sort. I don't think I would have minded a desk. I wanted a lectern for me. In some ways a desk is more honest than the fakeness of having it appear like it wasn't a business situation.

[Omers]

I am working with a PhD, actually the third PhD I have worked with. None of them set their office up like that. Pdoc does but she owned her reasons when I asked her... anyway... that set up would really bother me. If it didn’t change I honestly have to say that would be a deal breaker for me. Now, my T does have his office set up with a L shaped desk and there is a chair on the other side of the desk if you would feel safer in that seat... however, there is also a couch that doesn’t look comfy but is and there is another chair. BUT he typically only uses that part of the office for the initial intake. After the intake he brings you to the other side of his office where there is a white board, three office chairs and some toys and comfort items. He usually works on this side of the office... he is sitting in the exact same kind of chair you are and everything is movable depending on what you need. But then my T is pretty big into minimizing the power imbalance, empowering his clients, and connecting to them in a very real way.

[HALLIEBETH87]

My psyd has a desk but also has a big couch and big chair. I’m allowed to sit where I want and always sit on left side of couch and he sits across the room in big chair. Usual bookshelves and interesting decor. Lots of certificates and licenses. Dim lighting and white noise machine outside his office.

[ArtleyWilkins]

Depended on the therapist.

1st and 2nd Ts: 1st was stuck in a VERY tiny office so there wasn't much he could do about it. He tended to pull his chair out beside his desk and I sat across from him. 2nd Ts office was set up for more than just therapy, so he sort of did the same thing. 3rd T had a better situation office-wise. He kept his desk against the wall so he could work there but he didn't sit behind it; he had enough space to sort of have his "office" space and his "therapy" space.

Honestly, none of the above really mattered much. It came down to their interpersonal style more than where they sat or how nice the office was.

[susannahsays]

The therapist I see has a fine office except she keeps her white noise machine inside her office instead of outside by the door. I find this weird, especially since she is in a suite with other therapists, and sometimes there are other white noise machines outside other doors. It's not like it's not allowed or something.

[xRavenx]

I had been wondering if the second appointment would be any different, but it wasn't. She still sits behind a big desk. I feel small in comparison. It's a little strange and off putting. Maybe I'll still give it a little more time? Aside from that, there is also something about her style that is a little different from other therapists. She seems to be extremely structured and solution-focused without really meeting me where I'm at and giving it more time to ask me questions and learn more about me first. Not sure if this will be a good fit.

[Omers]

I had one T that used a very prescriptive medical type model. She was very helpful in teaching me skills to manage symptoms but didn’t offer any long term help. While I still use and am thankful for what she taught me I am much happier with my current T. Does your T say what kind of therapy she offers/is trained in?

[xRavenx]

Originally Posted by Omers

I had one T that used a very prescriptive medical type model. She was very helpful in teaching me skills to manage symptoms but didn’t offer any long term help. While I still use and am thankful for what she taught me I am much happier with my current T. Does your T say what kind of therapy she offers/is trained in?

She uses CBT. She gives homework and wants you to write it down when you aren't in session. I know CBT can be helpful, but there's something missing so far.

[velcro003]

I don't know. If it was me, I'd probably not go back if I felt like you do, Raven.

[ScarletPimpernel]

L is a Ph.D. She sits on one side of the room in a relaxing chair with an ottoman. I sit on the other side of the room on a nice couch. I wish she actually had her chair to the side of me, so she'd be closer and I wouldn't have to constantly looking straight at her... But I guess it's better across from her so I don't get a neck ache.

Besides seating, her room is very comfy. Beautiful blue paint on one wall, cute decorations, an art piece, a few plants, a nice rug, etc. And tons of pillows and blankets.

No

[Spirit of Trees]

The office has a chair for my T and a couch for clients. There is a small coffee table between us with some decorations but it doesn't create a physical barrier. The room doesn't feel overly clinical but I'm not comfortable yet, since I've only visited a few times.