What to talk about in therapy

[¯|_(ツ)_|¯]

What do you all talk about in therapy? It’s like as soon as I go to a session I forgot everything from my past and current life and every feeling I’ve ever felt.

Ideally, I'd like to talk about past concerns, issues, traumas, that may be the cause of or at least have an impact my maladaptive coping mechanisms and negative self-talk. However, usually I just end up talking about what's bothered me since our last session. I mean it helps, but I wish I could get to the point where I am discussing the parts of me that are holding me back, and that's generally not a result of day-to-day interactions.

I would suggest keeping a list to bring to your appointments for things you want to talk about. You might find that helpful. It doesn't have to be a detailed explanation; bullet points would probably suffice. I just suggest trying that out.

[Moyshi]

Hey Dez,

I agree with the above poster and the idea of creating a list to bring in. The list could consist of bigger life events/themes/topics that you're wanting to talk about, or smaller things such as everyday triggers or what has been difficult for you in between a sessions. I think it's pretty common for people to get stuck with what to say once the appointment rolls around, so making notes may be a helpful to get the conversation going!

I would also recommend reflecting on what you'd like to get out of therapy and writing those down. When you first met with your therapist you were probably asked this, and it can be helpful to think back and look at what your overall goals are. If you're still stuck with what to talk about, you can always bring up what you were wanting to achieve and the therapist should be able to go from there.

Just remember that the therapist is there for you, you're in control of the session and what you chose to share, and the appointment is your time to spend focusing on yourself. Appointments sometimes go by in the blink of an eye so a list can help get the conversation going so you can get the most out of the short time you have.

Hope this helps a bit!

[Stacey]

Like Eli mentioned, I usually keep a list of things that have come up for me between sessions - important events, difficult feelings, etc - anything that may be helpful to discuss with my therapist.

We often begin by going over a brief overview of my week, month, whatever time period it's been between sessions and then she will ask me if I have anything specific I'd like to focus on, or we will continue from a previous session. If I'm having trouble focusing on something, my overview of what has happened since we last spoke can often prompt her to suggest something we may want to focus on or ask about my feelings towards something that occurred, or she will occasionally ask if I felt we have covered everything I hoped to cover in a previous session or about a previous issue.

Keeping a list is the biggest help, but if you're at a loss for something to discuss you can always reschedule your appointment for a week later, or tell your therapist that you are struggling to find something you wish to focus on and they may be able to suggest something based on what they know, or focus on more general coping, skills, etc.

[Arabesque- golfing girl.]

Hi Dez,

I hope you are doing okay with talking to you're therapist now and you are able to come up with different ideas to talk about. It can be hard to think of something to talk about with other people. I wish you the best with this and hope that you are doing okay. Sending you hugs to help you.

I talk about how my weeks have gone since I've seen my therapist. If i have had any problems and fits and then we talk about that. We also talk about how I hide my emotions or push them down. My therapist will push and bring things up herself. But I've known her for like 3 years and been with her over a year.
Last session we talked about my dissociation and if I have D.I.D.


Something I do because I do forget things especially since I dissociate a lot after the incident I will write down a short summary of what I want to talk about. So like little reminders and it helps me.



I hope this helps.
You can always PM/VM me if you need to

Your Friend<3
Ariel

[Rika]

If I was in therapy I'd wanna discuss what is bothering me and ask for advice on what to do etc.

I do agree writing down a list of things to discuss or talk about is a good idea. It's what I'd do if I was seeing a therapist.