free association

Another Q--so what do you mean when you say "free association or you like to "free associate?"

I suspect we have differing scenarios and was wondering.

Expressing each and every thought that comes to my mind, as they are and as they happen. Raw. No prettying them up. No judging them. It can feel disconnected because it isn't like social conversation, but the associations are really interesting.

T tells me that if she is talking and something comes to mind, to tell her right away, because what she's saying isn't as important.

I guess we do free association but T only "officially" suggested it once at the beginning of therapy. I realize now how UN-relaxed I have been in therapy and how--the more relaxed I become--the more I am able to free associate!

I do "free association" writing...

Basically, putting my pen to paper, and writing whatever comes to mind - without editing the thoughts or my writing while doing it. Really useful for figuring out whats bothering you I've found.

But in terms of free association in therapy... I've never really done it. I can't be that honest. Essentially I see it as always speaking of whatever is on my mind ... and sometimes I see it as being irrelevant what I think at every moment, and I don't want to waste time in therapy talking about what I plan on doing for the day, or what I had for breakfast!

Free Association

An more detailed description of free association here.

I think my T has tried this activity with me twice. I didn't do too well with it.

My T asked me to free associate a time or two and we were "lost" within 3 utterances I had to learn to structure my thinking more, "think" more than just go with the flow. We discovered my habitual way of being is too flighty to have free association work well.