Well-timed, the question can lead to breakthroughs regarding unhelpful patterns, difficult feelings, and negative interpersonal relationships. It can reconnect you with any feelings you may be trying to avoid by overthinking the situation. So, yes, the question may be an attempt to interrupt and go deeper.
In asking them how they feel, they are asked to examine their emotions and become more aware.
Name the issue, i.e.,” Thank you for asking, I've been going through it a little.” (Feel free to be as descriptive here as the situation, person, time permit.) Name your feelings, i.e., “I'm struggling,” “I'm tired,” “I'm sad,” “I'm angry,” etc.
10 Alternative Ways To Ask “How Does That Make You Feel?” When you reflect on the occurrence, are you willing to share your current emotions? I sympathize with your pain; where are you right now in your process? Tell me more about that — referring to the situation causing distress.
The Gestalt Therapist appreciates the person as part of their environment. The mind, the body, and the environment are all part of one consideration. During therapy, clients are often asked questions to help them tune in to their immediate experiences, such as: What are you feeling?
Other things to avoid during a therapy session include: asking about other confidential conversations with other clients; showcasing violent emotions; or implying any romantic or sexual interest in your therapist. The number one job of a therapist is to keep you safe and protect their clients' privacy.
It's OK for therapists to share their thoughts and opinions if you ask for advice, but they shouldn't be ordering you around. Therapy is supposed to empower you and give you the cognitive skills to make great decisions. Telling you what to do defeats that purpose and is an ethical grey area.
I'M DOING WELL. This is a good answer if you want to be gracious and share something but not get into a heavy discussion. The “thank you for asking” up front warms up your response by showing that you appreciate the question. Saying that you are doing well indicates that you want to offer some insight into your life.
Meanwhile, asking someone "how are you feeling?" will be much more open-ended, is more welcoming, caring and much more likely to lead to an honest answer. This is especially true in relationships when your S/O is withholding why they're upset or the fact of whether or not they're actually upset.
"What do you feel" or "how do you feel"? Both are correct depending on context. If you're a therapist asking about the effect of a photo, use what. If you want to ask someone who's recovering from an illness, it's how.
Your therapist's relationship with you exists between sessions, even if you don't communicate with each other. She thinks of your conversations, as well, continuing to reflect on key moments as the week unfolds. She may even reconsider an opinion she had or an intervention she made during a session.
During the first session, your therapist may ask you: What are your symptoms? What brought you to therapy? What do you feel is wrong in your life?
Talk to your therapist
No matter how awkward it might seem, Waichler recommends letting your therapist know you're having these feelings. “The therapist must know this so they can use them in therapy to understand why they've occurred and give insights on how to manage them,” she explains.
Back to Fictional Reader's question about why it may be difficult to look a therapist in the eyes. Some possible root causes range from guilt, shame, anxiety, low self-esteem, shyness, past abuse, depression or autistic spectrum disorders to varying cultural norms and cognitive overload.
Hands. Your client's hands can give you clues about how they're reacting to what comes up in the session. Trembling fingers can indicate anxiety or fear. Fists that clench or clutch the edges of clothing or furniture can suggest anger.
Sharing something you think is too sensitive or personal can be uncomfortable. But know you're not alone in thinking you've disclosed too much in therapy. When this happens, it can help to explore why you think you've overshared and talk it over with your therapist.
No matter how you feel — good or bad — it helps to put your feelings into words. Talking about feelings can help you feel close to people who care. It can help you feel better when you're sad or scared. Putting feelings into words helps you use self-control when you feel mad or upset.
Talking about your feelings validates that what you are experiencing is real and means something to you. If you're upset over something, it's because you care about it. Trying to ignore that feeling would be invalidating to your experience and your values.
People ask the question “How are you?” in conversation as a way to greet you and engage with you. Answering this question can be tricky, and you may not be sure the best way to respond. In professional situations at work or with an acquaintance, you can give a brief, polite response.
The feeling is a conscious experience created after the physical sensation or emotional experience, whereas emotions are felt through emotional experience. They are manifested in the unconscious mind and can be associated with thoughts, desires, and actions.
If a client asks for advice, the therapist might offer an opinion, share their thoughts or encourage a client to try a thinking strategy. This form of advice aligns with the nature of therapy because it still allows clients to build their coping skills and act on their own. It is different than telling them what to do.
Can your therapist initiate a hug? A therapist can hug a client if they think it may be productive to the treatment. A therapist initiating a hug in therapy depends on your therapist's ethics, values, and assessment of whether an individual client feels it will help them.