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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Rigby on May 29, 2005, at 23:14:50
Hi All,
Just a reality check here. My therapist came back from being away (who knows--maybe a vaca?) and propped up (not hung yet) against a wall is this **huge** painting. It takes up most of a wall. It's not a print but an original painting.
She asked if I thought it was distracting and I laughed and said, "Uh, it's big."
This reminds me of this other time where she had a bouquet of flowers in the middle of the floor--just sort of, it felt like, baiting me.
I guess I wanted to know if this is "normal" behavior for a therapist--seems like a painting this large is more about them than the clients? But maybe I'm just overly sensitive.
Also, FYI, the painting is just a huge mountain snow scene--somewhat gloomy.
Thanks for any feedback/thoughts.
Rigby
Posted by sleepygirl on May 30, 2005, at 0:17:47
In reply to Painting In Therapist's Office, posted by Rigby on May 29, 2005, at 23:14:50
hhmmm...well I've heard some therapists who try to keep their boundaries as tight as possible, that make an effort to only put up art that is as 'neutral' as possible.
Well I suppose that painting could invite some interesting conversation. Your T could just be trying to decorate her space, but taste in art is certainly personal. I guess since it's a big frickin' painting, you won't be able to avoid the thing. I hope it won't distract you.
Posted by gardenergirl on May 30, 2005, at 0:19:11
In reply to Painting In Therapist's Office, posted by Rigby on May 29, 2005, at 23:14:50
Hmmm, the flowers thing is just odd. But the painting? Well, my T has two rather large oil paintings in his office. They are not particularly stunning, but they are okay. One of them reminds me of my mother's hometown. They are up because the painter is someone who means something to my T. They are not what I would pick out for my office, but still.
I think it's important for T's to have some things in their office that are meaningful to them. Maybe this new painting reminds her of her vacation. Although gloomy? yikes.
Oh..and nice to see you! :)
gg
Posted by Jazzed on May 30, 2005, at 8:53:41
In reply to Re: Painting In Therapist's Office » Rigby, posted by gardenergirl on May 30, 2005, at 0:19:11
I've read also that the office should be neutral, to not influence you one way or another, but that some Ts are more open to sharing themselves through objects and decor. Since she asked, I'd guess that was a good time to tell her if it WAS distracting. Or, you could spend most of the next session talking to the painting! LOL That might clue her in. I'd think gloomy is definitely not appropriate for a Ts office though. Flowers in the middle of the floor? Yep, sounds like a test. LOL Did you ask?
Jazzed
Posted by happyflower on May 30, 2005, at 9:10:38
In reply to Re: Painting In Therapist's Office, posted by Jazzed on May 30, 2005, at 8:53:41
My T (I know you are all sick about hearing about him) has a couple of paintings that his mother painted. They are very good. But what is really weird is that in his waiting room he has a Grandma Moses print that I also have in my living room. It was so strange walking into his waiting room for the first time and seeing "my" painting! It isn't a common one either. Weird, very weird.
Posted by Dinah on May 30, 2005, at 9:12:52
In reply to Painting In Therapist's Office, posted by Rigby on May 29, 2005, at 23:14:50
My therapist is fond of unique artwork, or was at his old office. I found, no matter how distracting, it wore off quickly. Even the picture of his wife and daughter, which were enormously distracting, being large enough to look as if they were watching, and facing the sofa where I sit directly, I managed to get over being looked at eventually.
Then he adjusted the pictures to face his desk. Someone else must have complained. Someone he took more seriously than me.
He also had flowers sitting on the floor next to the window once. I looked, he explained. I think he might have also mentioned why they were on the floor. Moisture or something. I think he kept them in there until they died, but found something to put them on so he could take them off the floor.
Posted by JenStar on May 30, 2005, at 12:13:58
In reply to Painting In Therapist's Office, posted by Rigby on May 29, 2005, at 23:14:50
hi Rigby, I think you're right --- the painting probably IS more about her than the clients. She must love it if she bought it especially for her office. A painting that large is usually not cheap. Something about it must make her happy, nostalgic, or relaxed. I think T's need to find office decorations that soothe their own souls, too. After all, they spend so much time in that room!
I bet it's not to bait you, though. Probably you can get some interesting insight into her likes & dislikes, and spark some good conversation about YOUR likes and dislikes. But she probably just loves it for some reason or other, gloomy or not!
JenStar
Posted by JenStar on May 30, 2005, at 12:15:46
In reply to Re: Painting In Therapist's Office, posted by happyflower on May 30, 2005, at 9:10:38
you know the quote "great minds think alike" !!! You and your T must share a love of fine art...
Does it make you feel good, that you both have the same painting? (I think I'd probably feel validated in some way, but that's just me.)JenStar
Posted by thewrite1 on May 30, 2005, at 13:29:38
In reply to Painting In Therapist's Office, posted by Rigby on May 29, 2005, at 23:14:50
I walked into session once and there was a teddy bear sitting there. I said something about it and my T told me it was there from a session with another client. She didn't seem to be digging for anything, as it was brushed off. I resented being reminded that other clients had been there even though I know that to be true. I didn't say any more and just ignored the cute little thing.
I have mentioned other things to her, like a painting on the wall or something. She usually pays attention to that and digs into it.
Posted by Shortelise on May 30, 2005, at 13:37:52
In reply to Painting In Therapist's Office, posted by Rigby on May 29, 2005, at 23:14:50
In my opnion, anything is a subject in therapy. If you feel like talking about it, feel like seeing what it's about, you could make it a subject of discussion. It's all interesting, and it could bring out things about how you deal with the world around you, how you approach things.
The "is this about you or is it about me" thing is something I struggle with a lot. I keep coming back to it again and again in therapy.
ShortE
Posted by Rigby on June 1, 2005, at 1:47:53
In reply to Re: Painting In Therapist's Office » Rigby, posted by Shortelise on May 30, 2005, at 13:37:52
Thanks so much to everyone for their input, experience and ideas. I'm amazed at how much "personality" (theirs) some therapists put into their office.
After a lot of thought, I feel that having such a large painting sends a mixed message: this therapy is about you but hey, look at me! My therapist makes a point of saying nothing to me about herself--and I mean **nothing** so I just find it odd.
Anyway, thanks for listening--really appreciate everyone's input!
Rigby
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