I just read a New York Times article titled “What Therapists Don’t Say.” There seems to be some fascination with that — the premise of the TV show Shrinking is that “a grieving therapist starts to break the rules by telling his clients exactly what he thinks.”
What I don’t say, in an individual therapy session, includes
- You think that’s bad? Let me tell you about my problems!
- I’m distracted.
- I’m afraid you really don’t want to change.
- You should do this.
- I don’t think I can help you.
- I wish I were doing something else.
- That hurts my feelings.
- I have to pee (this one was mentioned in the New York Times article).
I don’t say any of those things because (1) they are passing, momentary thoughts and (2) unhelpful. Also, when I have a thought that I don’t say, I take it as important information — often a window into what the other person is feeling.
Do you see anything that therapists don’t say in my images for today?
Sometimes I do say a World Holiday or what the Daily Bitch says in a therapy session, if it’s relevant.
Here’s what I find on YouTube when I search for “what therapists don’t say.”
Now I’m wondering what you would say in the comments section, below.
Here’s something I say every day:
