The Strangest, funniest or embarrasing things that have happened in a therapy session

[Guest_3712]

Hi All,

After some persuasion by a fellow poster I thought it might be a good idea to share our stories of " When therapy sessions go Wrong" or are just downright funny and/ or awkward. Surely I cant be the only one that has had these encounters. Mind you I have been in therapy for many years and only recently have found some of these episodes amusing.

So if you have reached that place where you can have a bit of a laugh at yourself or maybe its the therapist who's done something strange please share ,

So I'll start with a couple of mine. Just a couple of small teasers to get the ball rolling

Early in my therapy I was totally embarrassed to share anything , and could only talk if my psych turned his chair around. Now he was only a short fellow and the chair had a high back, so all was good and I started to unload. My psych was quiet and I thought listening intently until I heard the unmistakeable sounds of snoring! Yep my deepest darkest secrets had put my psych to sleep! UMM had a lot of explaining and grovelling to do.

Another time I became so paranoid that my secrets were going to be discovered by people that worked in the medical offices -other docs, receptionists etc so during one session I grabbed his paper and pen and refused to let him write any notes of our session! Of course I didn't think till after I went that of course he would write after I left - probably best I don't know what he wrote after that session!

So that's it , if you have some stories I'm sure others would love to hear the lighter side of therapy .

Take Care

Stressless

[Guest_3712]

Hi All,

I thought it was about time I contributed to my own thread and not leave it all up to Quercus , although I have to admit her posts are always so entertaining ! Most of you would know I am moving my whole life to a new state soon and will therefore not see my psych for a long period of time.

So once I knew our time would be coming to an end, ( after 7 years ) OMG I know ! I started writing him a letter as I knew I wouldn't be able to remember all I wanted to say. Some ten pages later I thought ok need to condense this , or he'll charge me for the time it takes to read it !

After my last session which was 2 weeks ago , which was supposed to be my last session before he convinced me I needed to come in again before I left , I casually dropped the letter on his desk and said, " If I don't get to see you again , read the letter . Or if I do get back for another appointment wait until after I go "

So come yesterday, I'm emotional and I'm still sick as anything- nose running, ears blocked , eyes red from lack of sleep and he's late again ! In 7 years he has never on time. Even when he is on time, he fiddles around before seeing me and then is late. I used to get really stressed about it but as I knew he was seeing patients at the hospital, I got over it . You can see that right ?

One hour after appt time he arrives. Spends 15 minutes on phone - then I'm called in. Keep in mind I have now been sitting for approx. 90 minutes, with intermittent stretches of course but still a long time. So I stand up and my back spasms- long history of such, and I'm doubled over in agony as I lurch into his office.

Tip for doctors ; if you have kept patient waiting over 90 mins, with long history of back problems, anxiety and depression who is about to turn their life upside down and move interstate to an uncertain future, possibly without her husband ,and has just buried their mother in the last week, has snot and assorted eye makeup running down her face and is doubled over in agony, don't say, "So how are we today ?" unless of course you want said patient to reply, " how the ( insert swear word here ) do you think I am ?

I notice my letter is on his desk - open. Just great ! So after a few more pleasantries from him - not me, I'm still trying to stretch out and clean face , He says, " This is a really nice letter, - it means a lot to me to hear how you believe our time together has helped you."

Pause for effect - I look up and meet his kind eyes and say,

[Guest_3712]

Just to recap - Doc a little misty after reading my emotional soul searching missive about our 7 years together, me a little peeved after being kept waiting 90 mins with sore back.

I reach over and take the letter, look at it for a moment before shoving it in my bag and saying, " Yes well that was last week , this week you are just giving me ( insert swear word here ) . "What , so my time is not as important as yours ? I'm about to change my whole life ! New state, new home ( hopefully ) no husband ( maybe or hopefully ) , no job and I've still got this lousy flu for the fourth time, my mother died remember, and you keep me waiting for 90 minutes and then say, "So how are we today ?"

Pause for effect - him not me

He comes around the desk to where I'm sitting, puts his hand on my shoulder and says, " so how are you doing today ?" I look up and say, "Actually not that great , Thanks for asking "

Epilogue

Session went as usual after that- lots of tears me not him, lots of laughs me not him, furiously writing on pad me not him ( remembered what I needed for shopping list )

I sure will miss these sessions - seriously I will . This doc has been my confidante and guide for many years and I would not be here if it weren't for him. I told him so - and gave him back the letter which he said he will treasure AWWW - then had to spoil it by saying he may use as a teaching tool ! Right back at you doc !

Stressless

[Quercus]

Hi Stressless,

I bet he was dancing on the inside when you stood up to him! Good for you!

So proud of you finally demanding better... From your husband... For your daughter and most of all for yourself!

❤ Nat

[Secondfloor]

This is my favourite therapy anecdote.

I'd been seeing a particular psychoanalyst (?) for over a year. It was stressful just making it to the sessions because it was during work hours and I had to make allowances for travel time and parking etc (an under-rated stress in its own right).

Anyway, it was a December appointment, I remember sitting down, thinking I have so much to say, to get out before the Christmas break.. so I started going through my list (at speed, knowing that I had to be back at work because my boss was going to be in the office that day). In any case, our sessions were mostly me getting things off my chest with a few interjections from my therapist and then me telling her about how I'd considered her interjections already and she'd say something like "yes, you do seem to have a lot of insight into this...". Perhaps my sessions were simply a safe place for me to unload?

In any case, half way through the session, she interrupted me and said "I'm sorry, I really should have interrupted you earlier. I need to tell you that I don't think that our sessions are helping you. I don't think that you should come to see me any more".. She then handed me a piece of paper with a list of alternate therapists.

I couldn't help myself, I said "So, you're breaking up me with me? Now? Right before Christmas?". She said that she thought I'd be better suited to a different style of therapy etc (which wasn't incorrect), and she said all the right things about being glad to have met me, hoped she'd helped etc

I thought her timing was appalling but strangely felt happily vindicated that my problems were big enough to be put in her "too hard basket", and then, because I am me.. I reached into my handbag and pulled out the wrapped Kris-Kringle present (that I'd actually bought for a work colleague- it was a fancy glass Christmas tree bauble)... and I said to her "I know you're Jewish, but I'd bought this for you anyway, but now that you've broken up with me, what's the point?" I put the wrapped gift on the ground and stood on it - you could hear the glass break inside. I picked it up and carried it out with me.

On my way out, the receptionist asked "shall we book your next appointment now?". I looked at her solemnly with the crumpled present clutched to my chest, shook my head and walked out.

It wasn't until I got to my car that I started laughing, hysterically. I got more than I wished for from that session on so many levels!

[Guest_3712]

Hey Secondfloor,

That is brilliant - love it !

I really needed that , it gave me my first laugh in ages

Thanks for contributing

Stressless

[White_Rose]

Hello Second Floor

That was brilliant and hilarious. What a shame you didn't think to capture the scene for posterity. Well I suppose you have. Made my day. Any more where that came from?

By the way, welcome to Beyond Blue .

Mary

[Guest_6772]

The funniest thing that happened during a session for me a little while ago.

I let rip with great big & loud fart!!!

Not so funny but embarrassing you say?

Nope funny because I have no control over my bowel movements as I have a colostomy bag.

I choose to see the funny side of these things,

you should have seen the look on my therapists face! Priceless lol

[Quercus]

Hi Guest_6772,

Welcome to the forums 😊

I'm glad you can see the amusing side! And shared it with us.

I had a family member with a colostomy bag and he used to be so uncomfortable with the involuntary farts... Until he met my kids.

Little boys think farts are the best thing ever and they have none of the "polite" boundaries. Mr 4 couldn't stop giggling (and then took it as permission to fart at will).

I was so embarrassed because I didn't want to upset my family member... But he roared with laughter and said it made him feel less embarrassed.

Sometimes we need kids to give us the wake up call... Polite behaviours make us feel like crap sometimes. Where is our childlike humour?

Nat