Therapist seems to asses my eye movements?

[itgetsbetter5]

I just had my first ever face to face therapy session for my social anxiety and I felt like she was trying to analyse my eye movements. Now whenever I’m talking I tend to look around to help me think and remember, and I feel like she was testing me to see if I was lying? I guess it’s normal for therapist to asses you like this. Did anyone else experience this on your first therapy?

[Hidden]

Yes I felt as though I was being analyzed for a good while, but sooner or later you’ll notice you are in a safe space. I think it was my third session when I really felt more comfortable and began to open up and trust me it feels great when you get there. To finally get some things of your chest or talk about the little things that bother you.

[Hidden]

I agree with Toshy, remember therapist are human beings too and they will not be perfect to say the least but they have been trained with proven methods to counsel in the areas of their specialty. I happen to think that if your therapist was doing what you say and you noticed it, she/he is not perfect in the least bit, you are there because of their training. Once as Toshy said once things change it will be better, and they must change for your therapy to be effective. Wishing you the best with your therapy. 🙂🙂🙂

[kenster1]

hi I cant keep eye contact going for more than a few seconds people who can like it as it gets there attention and engaged in conversation people like me tend to look around but that's just who I am.

[Dolphin14]

I'm like kenster I look away from my therapists a lot when I'm talking. I make direct eye contact when listening.

There's certain body language they read along with listening to what we say.

I remember being concerned when I started EMDR. Having no idea what it was really about I told my talk therapist that I don't think I can do it because when I talk I look away. Anyway, it all worked out.

I know I look away out of guilt and shame stemming from my childhood. Some people avoid eye contact when they are lieing. So, perhaps that's what they are trying to assess? Just a guess?

[itgetsbetter5 in reply to Dolphin14]

Thats good to hear that it all worked out! what practises did you have to do? Anyways I tend to look away when I’m thinking then I look back when I’m speaking, so I’m not totally looking around the whole time. I just hope she doesn’t think I’m lying as I’ve read that if you tend to look to your left youre lying but thats just me when I’m trying to remember a memory.

[Dolphin14 in reply to itgetsbetter5]

Exactly

That's me for sure. Memories or deep thoughts I have to look around and think.

So, if in fact that's what they are looking for eventually they see that as your normal behavior.

I think of my daughter when she was a teen. She couldn't lie without looking away. Lol.

But looking away is also a sign of discomfort I guess or deep thoughts as you and I both seem to do that. So, I think we are ok.

[itgetsbetter5 in reply to Dolphin14]

Haha, don’t get me wrong I probably look away when I’m lying too , but I also look away for the same reasons as you. Yes I think so too, we are ok.