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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by crazymaisie on February 7, 2005, at 13:18:05
i know this has been discussed before, but i was hoping to get people's opinions on it again. i was thinking of asking my T for my file. my relationship with her has been intense at times but that seems to be lessening which seems to be more helpful for me. i was thinking that if i asked to see my notes it might take some more of the intensity out of it and ground me a bit more. have other people done this? how has it worked out? thanks
maisie
Posted by alexandra_k on February 7, 2005, at 14:16:35
In reply to asking for notes, posted by crazymaisie on February 7, 2005, at 13:18:05
Yeah, I have requested my notes on a number of occasions. Getting them can be a mixed blessing... Depending on what is in them, of course. Sometimes I think 'OMG thats how they interpreted it when I did / said that' - and I find lots of misunderstandings. Still, more food for therapy I suppose... Sometimes I have times where I thought they were doing something particularly unhelpful, and oftentimes their rationale for that is in those notes. So it can also help you understand where they are coming from a bit more.
A mixed blessing. It can help - but be careful, it can also hurt.
I have seen a couple of t's where they would mail me the notes for the last session before the next one. I found that to be really helpful. Misunderstandings etc could be cleared up / hashed out in the next session. I like that best, but haven't requested that off my current clinician.
Actually, I think it may be time for me to request those notes again...
Posted by Dinah on February 7, 2005, at 14:19:14
In reply to asking for notes, posted by crazymaisie on February 7, 2005, at 13:18:05
I'm guessing it would do the opposite of draining intensity. Notes can be a very traumatic read.
But if you want to spice up your therapeutic relationship, reading the therapy notes are a great way to induce a great big fight.
Posted by alexandra_k on February 7, 2005, at 14:25:36
In reply to asking for notes, posted by crazymaisie on February 7, 2005, at 13:18:05
Sometimes it can lead to a bit of a fight. Especially when there is disagreement over something that is written there.
But I also see it as an opportunity to sort out misunderstandings and move on.
I would rather know...
Posted by Dinah on February 7, 2005, at 14:29:38
In reply to Re: asking for notes » crazymaisie, posted by alexandra_k on February 7, 2005, at 14:25:36
I would agree in principle. But I care way too much about my therapist (and my husband and my son) to want to have an unvarnished look at what any of them thinks of me. :)
Posted by alexandra_k on February 7, 2005, at 14:35:56
In reply to Re: asking for notes » alexandra_k, posted by Dinah on February 7, 2005, at 14:29:38
Yeah, I can imagine that it would be scairey to get a look at what people think of you when you really care about them.
A huge risk.
One I would probably not want to take either...I guess my situation is a bit different because these weren't therapists I was particularly attached to.
And the one t I was attached to knew she would be sending me what she wrote so I am sure she bore that in mind as she wrote them.
Do ya want a hug??
Posted by Dinah on February 7, 2005, at 14:40:35
In reply to Re: asking for notes :-) » Dinah, posted by alexandra_k on February 7, 2005, at 14:35:56
If I can give one too.
(((Alexandra)))
Posted by alexandra_k on February 7, 2005, at 14:53:40
In reply to Sure :) » alexandra_k, posted by Dinah on February 7, 2005, at 14:40:35
(((Dinah)))
I am so sorry.
I will be more careful now.
I promise.
Posted by Dinah on February 7, 2005, at 15:13:48
In reply to Re: Sure :) » Dinah, posted by alexandra_k on February 7, 2005, at 14:53:40
I think there's more going on with me than even I realize. :(
Posted by alexandra_k on February 7, 2005, at 15:47:14
In reply to I'm sorry too » alexandra_k, posted by Dinah on February 7, 2005, at 15:13:48
> I think there's more going on with me than even I realize. :(
I think everybody could probably say the same :-(
Do ya want a Nanook of the North helmet???
Posted by gardenergirl on February 7, 2005, at 22:47:13
In reply to Re: I'm sorry too » Dinah, posted by alexandra_k on February 7, 2005, at 15:47:14
Posted by thewrite1 on February 7, 2005, at 22:54:59
In reply to asking for notes, posted by crazymaisie on February 7, 2005, at 13:18:05
I asked my T to see her notes several times before she gave in. She always tried to turn it into the "What do you hope to find/Why do you want to know?" type thing. The more she tried to "talk me out of it," the more I wanted to see them. I just felt like she was trying to hide something from me.
She finally gave in and I read less than a page. It was so vague that I wouldn't have even guessed they were written about me. I ended up being neither glad I asked for them nor upset about what was in them. At first, I was bothered that they weren't more personalized, but I came to realize that made our sessions truly confidential. I grew to appreciate that a lot.
Posted by Smeegle on February 7, 2005, at 23:57:47
In reply to Re: asking for notes » crazymaisie, posted by thewrite1 on February 7, 2005, at 22:54:59
Sometimes I really, really wish I knew what he was jotting down when I am talking. Most of the time it's a quick notation and instantly I wonder what he wrote and why. I am still divided on whether I will ever request. I expect to get a watered down version of my file. Would it be beneficial for me to be more aware of his prespective or would it be counter-productive? I think it's probably highly individual as to how one would react to reading their T's comments. I am just curious as heck. I insist on all my other medical records so why not my mental health files as well? Perhaps with time. Perhaps when I am a bit more stablized. I really need to ask myself what I expect to achieve by seeing the comments. I think I just want an honest perspective on his reaction to what we talk about. Sometimes he makes notes (more like quick jotting down things than real note taking) even when I don't think I have even said anything note worthy.
Smeegs
Posted by alexandra_k on February 8, 2005, at 0:32:05
In reply to Re: asking for notes, posted by Smeegle on February 7, 2005, at 23:57:47
Milk
Beans
Shampoo:-)
Posted by alexandra_k on February 8, 2005, at 0:38:40
In reply to snort! (nm) » alexandra_k, posted by gardenergirl on February 7, 2005, at 22:47:13
Posted by Dinah on February 8, 2005, at 8:10:59
In reply to Re: asking for notes, posted by Smeegle on February 7, 2005, at 23:57:47
That always drived me nuts. I don't mind him writing notes, but when writes when I don't think I've said anything important I get an overwhelming desire to ask what he wrote. When I give into it, and he's analyzed it, it usually turns out that he was taking a non-intense moment to make his required, very vague, and totally impersonal notation of the day. "Discussed problems at work and possible solutions." Something dull like that.
Posted by Smeegle on February 9, 2005, at 23:44:14
In reply to Re: asking for notes » Smeegle, posted by Dinah on February 8, 2005, at 8:10:59
Yeah, I am probably making all this out to be more than it really is too. Probably would be boring, simple observations. Could be body language, anything (even his grocery list...that was funny).
Smeegs (who found out she's gonna be a gma today!...the only downside is that son is bipolar too. I just hope he doesn't pass it along too). Thinking Pink!
Posted by Dinah on February 10, 2005, at 12:52:14
In reply to Re: asking for notes, posted by Smeegle on February 9, 2005, at 23:44:14
This is the end of the thread.
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