Stuck on What to Talk About in Therapy? Three Ideas for Discussion

Do you ever feel like you have nothing to talk about in therapy? Whether it be for that specific session or an ongoing phenomenon, clients sometimes believe that they have to bring in something substantial to speak about during session, which can lead to a lull in times when life might not be as “busy” (in all sense of the word). Or, perhaps you feel like you are not a particularly internally active person and have trouble attuning to your thoughts and emotions throughout the week, making it hard to reflect upon in a session.

A foundational principle underlying psychodynamic therapy is “free association”, in which you don’t have to plan to bring a certain topic into session. Part of the beauty in such an approach is that you can sit down on the couch and associate freely on whatever comes to mind without determining its relevance or importance. While sessions are hopefully contributive to an overall treatment goal, there is freedom for spontaneity, surprise, and an expansive range of thoughts. At the beginning of treatment or a session, some patients find it difficult to free associate immediately, as we are perhaps not accustomed to doing so without judgment and ample space.

In the meantime, and whatever the reason, below are a few ideas that you can think about exploring in sessions to help you start thinking more psychodynamically:

1. Dreams. Our dreams can be a powerful window into our unconscious and hold a plethora of symbolism, presenting rich material and jumping-off point for a session. If you tend to forget your dreams, or none stick out to you, you can try keeping a dream log.

2. Childhood Memories. Throughout the week, we might think of a random childhood memory as we go about our day. Bringing such a memory into the session can lead to a more in-depth discussion about the events that precipitated that memory and a deeper look into how our history informs the here-and-now.

3. Art, Movies/Shows, Music, Books, Etc. If you have watched or listened to any of the aforesaid mediums, they can be ripe for discussion that can serve as vehicles to gain insight into other circumstances we are dealing with in our lives.

4. Your Feelings about Therapy. Exploring why you might be feeling stuck or like you have nothing to talk about could also be a useful conversation to have with your therapist. Such conversations can reveal our mindset on how we view speaking about topics other than “problems”, the pressure we feel to bring in something of significance, or the moment of life we are experiencing.