Couch 215: The Overcoming Couch

Because I don't feel as connected to my therapist over video vs in person. It's better than nothing but that's about it.

I've gotten used to video therapy. The first time I tried it, it just made me feel sad because I couldn't see my T in person, and I wondered if it would be better to just do phone. I was also very distracted by my image in the corner. But then I figure out how to hide my self video and have gotten more comfortable with seeing Dr. T this way.

I find I need more reassurance from him because I don't have some of the in-person body language or what he calls "the energy in the room" when people are in a room together. (He's admitted to not liking teletherapy either, saying it's harder for him to stay focused. But it hasn't really shown--guess he's good at hiding it.) But I've gotten to where I can feel connected to him over Zoom, like the bond is still there.

So I say, if you give it a try, give it at least a couple sessions before giving up on it. And hide your own video on the screen so it's not distracting.

Both of my therapists have only been doing video sessions since about March 13. I don't hate it as much as I thought I would. I figured out that I prefer phone with one therapist and video with the other. One therapist said she will continue with teletherapy until at least mid-June (but I bet she will extend that), and the other one thinks it is likely she will do teletherapy all summer (due in part to childcare concerns).

Re: Video therapy

I'm doing Skype with Pastor T and with regular T it's phone calls. She's rather old school. Skype and phone calls make me feel like I don't need either. Seeing them in person makes me feel like I need them. Weird.

Well we just got the news this morning that layoffs are starting at work. All departments are "under evaluation". Sigh. Thankfully h started getting his pandemic unemployment, so if I do get laid off, it won't be a complete disaster, but I suck at interviewing and dread possibly having to find a new job.

HUGS Artie

Retail therapy, sigh.

Hugs, Artie, I hope your job will be safe.

On the topic of remote therapy: long story but one of my friends is having a psych emergency and has to be hospitalized. I was texting with a mutual friend who is a therapist (NOT my hospitalized friend's therapist) to try to figure out which hospital the sick friend was brought to, and the mutual friend casually mentioned to that she was doing remote therapy with a patient right that second as she was texting me!?! I apologized for interrupting and she was like “no it’s totally fine the patient is just kind of rambling anyway.” I just... what? Lord.

All I got to say is "WOW"

No way they lay you off. Your the top!

Ugh, that's pretty unsettling!

I do apologize to Dr. T sometimes for rambling (including the other day), and he's always like, "You're not rambling!" I think I pay close enough attention to him that I'd notice if he was texting someone (though he has scrawled done a note or two, which he doesn't generally do in person).

Yeah, the mutual friend is an old acquaintance from med school who is currently in training to become a psychiatrist... if she were a closer friend (and/or if we weren't dealing with this psych emergency of our other friend) I'd ream her out for doing that because it seems the height of disrespect.

This current situation is bringing out the jerks. I was standing in line with the apprpriate distancing and the person behind me kept complaining and occasionly brushing up against me. Out of the corner of my eye i found her foot and as i turned around to ask her to keep her distance i slammed my walking stick down on her foot and put all my weight on it. Itbwouldnt have happened if she kept her distance right? Not sure if that makes me a jerk as well

Alao i am not too sure why nail salons are open in my country but National Parks still have restricted access

That seems dumb.

That is being asked a lot here as well.

They have no reason to be touching you. We obviously need our sticks for balance and cant be held responsible if somebody gets too close.

We dont want you scaring the wildlife with your ugly arsed cuticles!

I know before restriction were loosened you get a haircut but not a massage.

Trying another online socialization thing to appease my T. We'll see how this goes... I give it 15 minutes and if it's awful, I'm bailing.

I think there’s very little rhyme or reason to what’s opened and what’s not, at least here in the States. It’s not like Covid can tell the difference between a park or salon.

When i worked in a major city and did early shifts there was this old lady with a walking frame at the bus stop. I day i arrived before her and there she is carrying the walker and walking perfectly well. Turns out she bought so she could the disabled seat on the bus.

It just makes me crazy the way they word things its ok to do this until its not ok to do this but the list of not ok things contradict each other. I think a troupe of untrained monkeys would so better managing this situation.

Most states reopened schools for this term and already 2 schools have closed due to students testing positive because our govt reassured us that covid19 doesnt affect kids. There plan is to keep schools open until someone tedts positive then shut the school for 2 weeks and do a deep clean. Most kids i think will be upset enough about this and stopping and starting education is not going to make kids learn any better. Just my thoughts.