No, I don’t want the tissue. If I’m crying, let me cry so I can get through it myself. I’ll grab the tissue if I want one. Listen to what I want you to hear, but don’t coddle me. That’s not going to help, only reinforce I need someone to comfort me. I know this sounds harsh, but as you said, make decisions on an individual basis and the therapist should know if handing the tissue to me is a good idea or not. Read the room.
Absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt, always hand me a tissue. It shows your humanness and compassion AND more importantly allows me to emote while trusting that you will interject with wisdom to keep things flowing in a healing direction.🥰
Definitely feel seen, heard and supported when I'm offered a tissue although that rarely happens with my therapist as she has two tissue boxes and a small waist basket set next to my chair before I arrive.
I would accept the tissue, I probably wouldn’t think it would be a signal to calm do. I’d have to use it though, because usually my nose gets all running before I emotionally cry. When I was inpatient we actually spent an afternoon on this subject. The people that didn’t want the tissue wanted to feel the tears run down as there own way of validation. The ones that would take it like myself was more leaning towards saving face, or kind of cleaning up a little before the end of the session. Sadly enough it was my fault for the start of this discussion. I out of my taught common courtesy hand a fellow patient a tissue box when they were breaking down. Good luck with your school work.
I would be thankful for it. Very practical to wipe up the bodily fluids coming from your eyes and nose. It is not good to be caught off guard and begin crying without a tissue.
I’m from California, born and raised in the Bay Area. I say all that just for context. So, when someone hands me a tissue I always say thank you. Receiving a tissue when I’m crying makes me feel cared for. Like the person hears and sees me and feels the need to comfort my distress. I appreciate the gesture. I tend to offer tissue to others also and usually say “are you ok, do you want to talk about it?”….I never thought about it but can see now that it could be seen differently by someone else. Very interesting, thanks for sharing this with us!
No, I don’t want the tissue. If I’m crying, let me cry so I can get through it myself. I’ll grab the tissue if I want one. Listen to what I want you to hear, but don’t coddle me. That’s not going to help, only reinforce I need someone to comfort me. I know this sounds harsh, but as you said, make decisions on an individual basis and the therapist should know if handing the tissue to me is a good idea or not. Read the room.
Definitely feel comforted
Absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt, always hand me a tissue. It shows your humanness and compassion AND more importantly allows me to emote while trusting that you will interject with wisdom to keep things flowing in a healing direction.🥰
I would take the tissue and view it as an act of kindness and empathy. I would definitely see it as ‘kind concern’ from the therapist
Definitely feel seen, heard and supported when I'm offered a tissue although that rarely happens with my therapist as she has two tissue boxes and a small waist basket set next to my chair before I arrive.
I would think you uncaring and disapproving if you didn't pass the tissues!
Chris UK
I would want the tissue. It shows compassion and an understanding that it’s ok to cry.
Giving me a tissue signals both compassion and giving me the freedim to express my emotion.
I would definitely appreciate a tissue. I think it would be awkward watching someone cry and not offer.
I would accept the tissue, I probably wouldn’t think it would be a signal to calm do. I’d have to use it though, because usually my nose gets all running before I emotionally cry. When I was inpatient we actually spent an afternoon on this subject. The people that didn’t want the tissue wanted to feel the tears run down as there own way of validation. The ones that would take it like myself was more leaning towards saving face, or kind of cleaning up a little before the end of the session. Sadly enough it was my fault for the start of this discussion. I out of my taught common courtesy hand a fellow patient a tissue box when they were breaking down. Good luck with your school work.
Position the tissue box or boxes so there is “no handing” and let the client decide if they want one.
I would be thankful for it. Very practical to wipe up the bodily fluids coming from your eyes and nose. It is not good to be caught off guard and begin crying without a tissue.
I’m from California, born and raised in the Bay Area. I say all that just for context. So, when someone hands me a tissue I always say thank you. Receiving a tissue when I’m crying makes me feel cared for. Like the person hears and sees me and feels the need to comfort my distress. I appreciate the gesture. I tend to offer tissue to others also and usually say “are you ok, do you want to talk about it?”….I never thought about it but can see now that it could be seen differently by someone else. Very interesting, thanks for sharing this with us!
Well...I'm from Oklahoma so give me the box of tissues. Lol I've always taken an offered tissue as a small comfort or sign of empathy.
I would appreciate the tissue. It would make me feel heard and that my therapist has empathy for me.
I’d appreciate the gesture. There are no reasons to leave tears where they fall when you cry. Don’t we all wipe them?
But much of my interpretation would be taken by your demeanor. Are you annoyed? Considerate? Impatient? Laughing? That might sway me