The only thing that I would change about my new T's office is the level of privacy that I feel I have. I've been in the waiting room and been able to hear clients in there and everything they are saying. Her office is right by the front door and waiting room where everyone comes/goes and it isn't very soundproof. So, I feel a little exposed. Otherwise I really like her office.

OldT's office was very private which I liked. The building was largely empty so there weren't people around often and she didn't share her office. If I could have permanently changed anything about her office it would be the way the furniture was arranged. She sat directly across from me and I frequently mentioned that was triggering as it felt confrontational and I felt really exposed and "on the spot". It would have been helpful if I didn't have to continuously ask not to be seated directly across.

New T has more of an angular set up and there is also a table between our two chairs so it feels less threatening.

Well, I see T in two different offices, one about 10 minutes away and one about 45 minutes away.

I'm assuming that transportation into my own home on a permanent basis, so he is accessible any time I'd like is off limits.

So, I would definitely have him have a private office, not a suite with other Ts. Luckily, the further one, there is almost never any other T around at the times I've ever gone, but I still hear doors from other suites and sometimes get really triggered into a weird "somebody's coming!" thing. Also, like STRM, the privacy issue.

In the closer office, I would replace the glass coffee table with a wood one. I can't stand the glass one.

In the one that's farther away, I would replace the leather couch we usually sit on (it is actually a double-recliner loveseat or something, which only know, because he said I was welcome to use the recline when we were trying a relaxation technique) with something softer.

Hahahaha, that's too many one things, huh?

But, there are two offices, so I can have two things, right? So, if I can't move him in-home and obviously, it's impractical for him to keep two separate completely alone all by himself offices, I'd do the table in one and the couch in the other. In general, I'd like if it felt more homey. We met in a different room at the farther office for a while and it felt much more enclosing and safe for some reason, just the way it was furnished. But, as long as my T is there, I guess that's all that really matters. My head is buried like 90% of the time anyway.

Oooh, fun topic!

Recently the chair that I always sit in has started to squeak when I sit down or move around. I'm not sure what happened; it just started about a month ago, but it is so annoying. There are other places to sit, but none of them feel right. So if I could, I would make my T replace that squeaky chair.

Her office is blah!

No pictures on the walls, no books, little, if any items on the table or desks, except for that stupid, annoying CLOCK of hers!

We all love those clocks, right??

I would add some comfort items, more pillows, and take some of the empty feelings out of it.

I would maybe add some pillows to her couch. It makes me feel more relaxed when I can hold something and cry into something other than ruining Ts blouses with my make up lol. Other than that, it's a perfect nice, warm, welcoming safe place that I cannot wait to get back to!

A blanket to wrap around me when I get cold or need to feel comforted.

T's office is always really warm. And I tend to flush when I am embarrassed or uncomfortable so as soon as I bring up something I don't really want to talk about it feels like a million degrees in there! She is good about it though and will open the window for me if I feel too warm. I would make the office cooler. Then I could go wearing a sweatshirt and feel less exposed and more secure anyway.

T1 (1 office): Comfier waiting room (she doesn't have the space to do it but I'd love a couch in there.

T2 (2 offices): First office I wish the art was hers or stuff she liked rather than the same paintings from my office building. Second office I would make entombed in soundproof padding so I didn't hear every little thing and worry I could be heard.

I really like all the offices I see my Ts.

I would change the size of T's room to something bigger or have her get rid of a few pieces of furniture. She sits too close to me, directly facing me and I do kind of feel put on the spot like STRM was saying about her old T's setup. I need more space.

quote:

Nothing like the sound and sight of rain against a window when you are trying to access emotion.

Oh, I hear you on that one. First time I ever went to see T was last summer, and that first session happened to be during one of those spontaneous summer afternoon thunderstorms. It was perfect. I even took it as something of a sign, lol.

Hmm, maybe a perpetual rainstorm would be even better than a coffee bar. I may have to change my one wish.

Btw, everybody, I'm loving all these responses! You all are so creative and fun.

Oooh, I would definitely put a friggin' window in his closer office. As long as there are good blinds. The natural light is so much better!

As for blankets, T has them. Either he has two of the same kind or he actually carts it with him to both offices so I can use it. He was doing that with the glove panda I made for him, bringing it to his Monday/Tuesday office, then to his Wednesday office, then home and back again the next week. It went everywhere with him. I told him just to leave it in office #1 after a while, because I was embarrassed. I think he did the same with the blanket (it was in a paper bag) just for me too. Humiliating. Most of his other clients M-W are marital therapy or guys with sex addiction. Thursday is anger groups. I'm pretty sure I'm his only client needing a blanky from time to time right now. I think I end up being the only of a lot of things with him.