Does your therapist eat or drink during sessions?

Mountaindewed · Apr 08, 2021, 02:19 PM

My old therapist would drink a lot of water and stuff during sessions. She drank a Coke one time. Sometimes it would be a bit obnoxious how much water she’d be drinking during the session. My current one was eating a Twix bar the other day. I asked if she was eating a Twix because I was curious and she laughed and said “yeah I didn’t have lunch. If you were here I’d share with you.” Then she showed me some Snickers bars she had.

Does your therapist eat or drink anything? How do you feel about it?

ArtleyWilkins · Apr 08, 2021, 02:26 PM

My last one did. I was the last session of his day usually, starting around 5PM. It was not unusual for him to grab a snack at the beginning of our session (and he often shared with me - in fact, he showed me where the office break room was so I could stop there for something on my way back if I wanted). It didn't bother me a bit. I drink something all day while I teach to keep my voice going and just to stay hydrated so I don't lose focus. By 5PM, if I hadn't had anything since lunch, I'd need something myself or I'd probably fall asleep.

Salmon77 · Apr 08, 2021, 02:30 PM

He has a glass of water handy but doesn't usually drink it. I'd be annoyed if he were snacking during my session. It just seems unprofessional, like something they should do on their own time.

ArtieTheSequal · Apr 08, 2021, 02:39 PM

She drinks water. One time (pre-covid) I brought some gingerbread in that my brother had sent from germany, and we snacked on that together..

emmaleemochizuki · Apr 08, 2021, 02:57 PM

Drink yes, eating never.

I am ok with drinking honestly.

I notice it, but it doesn't bother me.

SlumberKitty · Apr 08, 2021, 02:59 PM

Former T drank water during session. It didn't bother me. Current T doesn't. Neither of them ever ate anything during session. That would probably bother me a little, unless they shared!

coolibrarian · Apr 08, 2021, 03:32 PM

She drinks water.

chihirochild · Apr 08, 2021, 03:38 PM

Mine drinks coffee, water, soda.

He only eats when his blood sugar is low, and then he always offers me some of whatever he's eating.

LonesomeTonight · Apr 08, 2021, 03:40 PM

Mine drinks coffee, no matter what time of day I'm meeting with him. It's sort of a joke between us, that he drinks coffee, and I drink water during sessions. Yesterday, I saw him drinking water and made a comment about it. He said he normally drinks all his water at lunch, but that he had to miss lunch that day. He also eats mints sometimes, which is something he's only done since starting virtual sessions.

stopdog · Apr 08, 2021, 04:31 PM

Neither ate but they did have something in coffee mugs. With the first one I assumed it was vodka and the second one coffee or tea. But I really don't know or care what they were consuming. The second woman used to ask if I wanted tea and I always turned her down. The first never offered anything and I wouldn't have taken anything if she had

nottrustin · 05:09 PM

Long term T usually drank either vitamin water or plain water.

Current T usually drinks water but has had tea on a couple of occasions. I usually bring coffee or T. When meeting F2F she has a cart with everything needed to make a cup of T for clients.

Apr 08, 2021, 04:57 PM

We both do. I always bring her a soda, and we usually go out for dinner also while we talk.

velcro003 · Apr 08, 2021, 09:07 PM

My T occasionally drinks water or tea, never eats and I am glad as I would find that very distracting. I am her last client of the day (well pre-COVID), and sometimes she apologizes for her stomach rumbling. I have never actually heard it though.

precaryous · Apr 08, 2021, 11:29 PM

Occasionally. We both usually have drinks (water, soda) during the session. Sometimes it’s happened where the previous client gave her cookies or candy. T is polite and asks if I would care for one before she takes one for herself. If I decline, she doesn’t eat in front of me.

And, of course, if I’m upset about something or we are anticipating a rough session..no one eats anything.

susannahsays · Apr 08, 2021, 11:32 PM

She drinks water sometimes. Occasionally she has had a mint. Those don't bother me, but once or twice she has been chomping on chewing gum and I found that irritating.

daisydid · Apr 08, 2021, 11:55 PM

My therapist always has some kind of sofa in his office, but rarely drinks them during session. Masks make things difficult. I have had one virtual session with him and he often had a drink then, so I assume that without masks he would.

He’s never eaten in session, but I have. I was really triggered by something we were talking about and he offered me a Snickers ice cream bar because apparently sugar is a good release for serotonin. It amuses me that he’s on the keto diet but he’s advocated for me several times to reward with sweets.

Quietmind 2 · Apr 09, 2021, 01:07 AM

She sips water from an insulated mug. Once she asked if she could eat a snack as she runs back to back sessions and was hungry. I agreed.

There's hot/cool/cold water, coffee, tea in the waiting room so sometimes I'll have water.

ChickenNoodleSoup · Apr 09, 2021, 04:21 AM

No, never. I did drink water once when it was very hot. Other than that neither of us drink or eat during our sessions.

RoxanneToto · Apr 09, 2021, 04:24 AM

Mine usually offers me tea and last time had a cup herself, but usually she doesn’t have anything. Drinking during session doesn’t bother me, but snacking would, a bit. I wouldn’t say no if she asked, though.

*Beth* · Apr 10, 2021, 03:04 PM

Very rarely she sips some water or coffee during session. I would be offended if she ate during our session.

Lostislost · Apr 10, 2021, 06:00 PM

He used to have a water jug and glasses on the table before Covid. Never seen him drink or eat. Even if I take a drink in with me, I don’t remember to drink until the end.

*Beth* · Apr 11, 2021, 03:20 PM

Once, my pdoc was scarfing down a sandwich during our telehealth session. I guess she was super hungry! It was kinda gross, but mostly it was funny because she's so eccentric.

pixiedust72 · May 02, 2021, 01:47 AM

I had a therapist who would eat a lot during (virtual) therapy. Nuts, grapes, etc. Felt awkward like I was some kind of movie she was watching while I was baring my soul lol. I don’t still go to this therapist obviously.

May 02, 2021, 11:36 AM

I am curious as to why it bothers some people if their therapist eats or drinks. I am not trying to sound mean, I am just curious. Everyone eats and drinks.

LonesomeTonight · May 02, 2021, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starry_Night

I am curious as to why it bothers some people if their therapist eats or drinks. I am not trying to sound mean, I am just curious. Everyone eats and drinks.

I don't care if mine drinks. Or if he has a mint or something. But if he was, say, eating a sandwich or popcorn or cookies, that would bother me in the same way it would if my primary care doctor or hairdresser was eating during their appointment with me--because it would feel like they were distracted and not focused on me. Really, similar to if they were playing with their phone or something like that.

It would be different if my T said something like, "I'm sorry, I didn't have a chance to eat lunch today--would it be OK if I had this energy bar real quick?" or something like that. If it was an occasional thing, and he checked in first (of course, I'd say it was OK). But if we were in the middle of session and he just started randomly snacking or eating a bowl of soup or something, it would bother me. It just seems rude, in a way.

Note that I also never eat anything while in session. I do have some water generally--occasionally tea or coffee. But I see drinking and eating differently.

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Does your therapist eat or drink during sessions?

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