[SingDanceRunLife]

I have T tomorrow, and so yesterday, I started making a list of the things that there are to talk about/the things I want to talk about. I usually do this a day or two before my sessions just to get my thoughts organized and stuff. Do other people do it too?

I need to do that. I always have a running list in my head then lose it completely as soon as I walk in the door and it never fails to return to me as I walk OUT. I've been told by my T that I should write it down and bring it in so we cover everything.

Sometimes I email her the list of stuff and she prints it to go over it.

[tulips30]

I try really hard to go in with an "open" mind ready to just let things happen. But, as soon as I get in my car my mind starts making a list of things I want to talk about. I don't know if this is good or not.

tulips

[sunrise]

There was a time I made a list, but it wasn't because I wanted to discuss all of the topics on it, but to help me narrow down the most important. One hour a week with T is so short, and I wanted to make really good use of our time by talking about the most important thing(s). Seeing them all in black and white helped me choose the highest priority topic. I don't do this anymore, but it was helpful in my early days. I think if you find a list useful to you, keep on making one!

[SingDanceRunLife]

I do like my lists.

I never bring them to sessions or anything, but I make them because they help me organize things. And I don't necessarily have to talk about everything on them either, in fact, most weeks I leave stuff out because I don't feel like talking about it, but, you know.

[Merlin]

i wish i did. i tend to forget things.

[Mouse_]

NOpe as my therapy is about transferrence and the immediate but uncontrived feelings that arise in the time together...I'd say guildence counselling would be more suited for lists...

[chaotic13]

I oftentimes create a list in my private journal. I review the list before I go in but don't take it with me. I usually end up mentioning a few things on the list, but therapy never seems to go the way I script it out. I'm getting better with accepting the fact that that is OK.

[SingDanceRunLife]

That sounds like me Mckell

Once I came in with a written "agenda." It was pretty funny-- so unlike me. I was rattling things off like a newscaster or something. I was like, "Okay-- and next we have...." I just like to go in and see where things go. I believe enough in free association and the unconscious that it will take me where I need to be.

[happyflowergirl]

I do my lists in my head, usually the night before a session, which leaves a restless night. But with my new T, sometimes I go in cold turkey, but with me there is always something to talk about. lol But with this EMDR trauma therapy, I have has something on my mind almost every second of the day until I see him so we can desensitize more. Good topic!

[Defective]

I kinda do go through what i want to talk about as well. The day before my head runs through everything she might say and what my response will be. I just get nervous ill say the wrong thing and get in trouble so i like to play out every scenario and think how i should handle every question. With a cool calm head i can come up with proper answers where if i just spout off my first reaction im afraid id be locked up

[SingDanceRunLife]

Yeah Defective. I do that.

My plans basically never work though, and that's usually OK with me.

With my session on Thursday, it was very disappointing. I had made a list of like 6 things (well, maybe only 4 if you want to put some under a broad category), and we only talked about one of those. I mean, we talked about other stuff, but it was stuff that I didn't care to talk about because it had nothing to do with what I deemed important for the week. So, maybe we'll talk about more of the list next week.

[ECHOES]

I did... but the list became too involved, too detailed, and I agonized over what I would say and how.

So I changed it a bit and sometimes I go with nothng in mind and see what happens.. something always will.

Other times, I have a small post-it note in the pocket of the sweatshirt jacket I usually wear and it will simply have 2 topics, maybe three. But just the topics, no details. I want to present them to her in my own words of the moment and in the moment of the session. She wants that too. She doesn't have to anymore but she used to say "Begin where you are...". (and sometimes where I was, was feeling I had nothing to talk about)

It's a huge relief to not agonize over trying to go prepared, as if I have to perform or be worthy of being there. I don't have to. All I have to do is just be there.

[dalila]

<font color="green">I often make a list or have some notes that I bring along. Otherwise I feel like I have forgotten something important. If I have something to refer to I can decide what I want to talk about and what I can put off or ignore. Sometimes I use the list to say I need to talk about 'this' next time. Sometimes she says, ''Wait, let's talk about that now.'' </font>

[SingDanceRunLife]

I'm so glad that I'm not the only one. Just wanted to make sure.