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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by spalding on June 27, 2005, at 14:24:41
This is kind of an adjunct to happyflower's question above about T.'s audio recording sessions...
I take anywhere from none to copious notes during sessions. When we first started, I said to my T. that I had a bad T. in the past and I felt like I got nothing out of my sessions...and I wanted this to be different.
He used to tease me a bit for doing it, but I think because I continued to do it, and he says I'm doing "hard work," he has no problem with it now.
Posted by pinkeye on June 27, 2005, at 14:26:00
In reply to Do you take notes?, posted by spalding on June 27, 2005, at 14:24:41
You mean you write when you are doing therapy??
Is that productive? I would think if you want to write immediately after a therapy session that would be more productive isn't it?
Posted by spalding on June 27, 2005, at 14:37:58
In reply to Re: Do you take notes? » spalding, posted by pinkeye on June 27, 2005, at 14:26:00
thanks, pinkeye!
I take notes during session and find it extremely helpful. I probably do it 70% of sessions, though sometimes it's two lines, sometimes two pages.
A lot of times if I'm not taking notes, I think, "This is an important point," but then it's elusive when I get out of the room. When it isn't elusive, I usually write stuff down when I go back to my car.
But...when we're on something really, really intense, I tend not to do it, as eye contact and body language is so incredibly important. That stuff I usually remember afterwards and write it down immediately after.
I find my notes extremely helpful and sometimes use them to set an agenda for the next session. I probably refer to my latest set of notes 2-3 times before the next session. My T. is very much into the concept of me being "The Captain" in this experience and having me lead the way myself, so I think he appreciates the agendas.
:)
spalding
Posted by Klokka on June 27, 2005, at 14:49:39
In reply to Do you take notes?, posted by spalding on June 27, 2005, at 14:24:41
I don't take notes, but I usually will go home and write up an account of the session. It helps to process things and be more aware of how therapy is going. Notes might help, though, because sometimes I sit down to write and can't remember a thing about the session.
Posted by Jazzed on June 27, 2005, at 15:40:13
In reply to Re: Do you take notes?, posted by Klokka on June 27, 2005, at 14:49:39
> I don't take notes, but I usually will go home and write up an account of the session. It helps to process things and be more aware of how therapy is going. Notes might help, though, because sometimes I sit down to write and can't remember a thing about the session.
Hmmm... a journal of sorts might be an interesting idea, esp. since I"m just starting therapy. I can't take notes or I won't remember anything, but I remember pretty well afterwards, I think.Thanks for the idea.
Jazzy
Posted by Miss Honeychurch on June 27, 2005, at 16:09:42
In reply to Re: Do you take notes? » pinkeye, posted by spalding on June 27, 2005, at 14:37:58
I take notes during sessions as well, probably about 80% of the time. I feel if I waited AFTER therapy, I would forget a lot. PLus, he WANTS me to write certain things down as we're discussing them.
I find it very helpful!
Posted by Dinah on June 27, 2005, at 17:44:03
In reply to Do you take notes?, posted by spalding on June 27, 2005, at 14:24:41
But lately I've been thinking that if I ever get in the therapy flow again, where I'm able and willing to do real work, that I want to ask if I can tape the sessions to remind me what on earth is so important when the flow wears off. :( And I can't recall why on earth I go to therapy.
Posted by littleone on June 27, 2005, at 21:12:13
In reply to Do you take notes?, posted by spalding on June 27, 2005, at 14:24:41
I don't take notes during a session. Occasionally I have written down afterwards some important points, but usually I'm just too much of a mess to do that.
I have trouble remembering anything from a session and often can't recall stuff straight after he's said it. So sometimes my T will actually write out important stuff for me. Usually it is only a paragraph or two. Last session he gave me 2 1/2 pages worth which was unusual.
I treasure his notes.
Posted by 10derHeart on June 27, 2005, at 23:48:59
In reply to I wouldn't and couldn't in session., posted by Dinah on June 27, 2005, at 17:44:03
Me either, although I wish there was a way.
I need all my energy, attention and focus to stay *with* the session.
It's distracting enough that he writes about 75% of the time. We've talked abut that, though...actually fussed at each other about it a little. Fussed=friendly squabbling :-)Mostly because I've asked him - as my tiny goal (I HATE goals - they scare me and get me very defensive...) I want to increase eye contact with him. Because I know it helps a lot feeling connected to him, recognizing empathy when he feels it, and more. So it's tough for him to help with this when he's looking down to write.
It's been useful, though I can't deny. He always says, "I never write interpretations, or things I'm thinking, just what you say." And he doesn't - he's showed me and read back what I've said when I forget - or neither of us is sure...I hate that part - it feels stupid and vulnerable to hear him read my words.
Taping is sounding more and more tempting.
Posted by Dinah on June 28, 2005, at 6:29:33
In reply to Re: I wouldn't and couldn't in session. » Dinah, posted by 10derHeart on June 27, 2005, at 23:48:59
Mine doesn't write many notes, just a few at end of session that are very general. I think he does write notes on medications, or on bits of factual history that he hadn't remembered or didn't know.
I like it that way. I wouldn't want him to tape sessions for anything. Or to take many notes.
But it's really easy for me to lose the focus when we're really working hard on a subject. I think tapes might help with that.
Or maybe not. Maybe I'd listen to them and wonder what on earth the big fuss was about. :)
My mood varies so much from day to day that it probably wouldn't help, come to think of it.
Posted by spalding on June 28, 2005, at 12:46:45
In reply to Re: I wouldn't and couldn't in session. » 10derHeart, posted by Dinah on June 28, 2005, at 6:29:33
Mine, too, doesn't take any notes during session and I love it. I guess I'm taking enough for both of us. :)
Posted by Jazzed on June 28, 2005, at 13:11:45
In reply to Re: I wouldn't and couldn't in session. » Dinah, posted by spalding on June 28, 2005, at 12:46:45
> Mine, too, doesn't take any notes during session and I love it. I guess I'm taking enough for both of us. :)
How are they supposed to remember anything? Mine goes from one session, right into the next, it's not like he could be doing notes in between.
Jazzy
Posted by caraher on June 28, 2005, at 13:19:21
In reply to Do you take notes?, posted by spalding on June 27, 2005, at 14:24:41
I jot some things down now and then but don't take detailed notes. I usually come in with notes, though, as reminders of things I want to say so I don't leave and get frustrated about forgetting things
Posted by LittleGirlLost on June 28, 2005, at 15:08:44
In reply to Do you take notes?, posted by spalding on June 27, 2005, at 14:24:41
I don't. Sometimes I think I'd like to though. But I'd never be able to. I write slow and it would be too much of a distraction for me. I wouldn't be able to keep up with myself! Oh, and I can't really talk and write at the same time. Had the same problem in class too.
lgl
Posted by spalding on June 28, 2005, at 15:52:37
In reply to Re: I wouldn't and couldn't in session. » spalding, posted by Jazzed on June 28, 2005, at 13:11:45
> How are they supposed to remember anything? >Mine goes from one session, right into the next, >it's not like he could be doing notes in between.
>
> Jazzy
I don't know how he remembers for his notes, but he does.Also, he'll often say things like, "Do you remember three sessions ago, you said..." and (a) I don't remember what I said at all and (b) I can't believe he can remember even the most throwaway comment. He has a fantastic mind. (And brain.)
Once in a while I'll see him midday when he has another patient after me, but our usual sessions are Monday and Wednesday nights and I'm the last one of the day, then he writes his notes immediately after.
Posted by Shortelise on June 29, 2005, at 0:34:36
In reply to Do you take notes?, posted by spalding on June 27, 2005, at 14:24:41
I've tried but I was too distracted.
I really wish I could, sometimes I can't remember what has gone on is a session.
Shorte
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