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First therapy session expectations?

TheRunningGingerTheRunningGinger member
in Parenting
I have my first therapy appointment this Friday. I'm trying really hard to resist the urge to cancel. I have no idea what to expect and I'm afraid I'll end up just blabbering nonsense the whole time. Or even worse, what if I just cry for the whole 50 minutes? The relief I felt making the appointment has now turned into anxiety of omg I don't want to do this.

Can anyone help me with what to expect for the first appointment? I know in the end this will be a good thing, but just getting to the appointment is a real struggle for me.
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Re: First therapy session expectations?

  • TheRunningGingerTheRunningGinger member
    Thank you for sharing your experiences. I figured (hoped) it would be a getting to know you session. I should have done this a long time ago. And now I'm to the point that I've let so much build up that I am hoping she can help me focus on the issues one by one and come up with a plan. It just seems so daunting right now. Baby steps. That's what I keep telling myself!
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  • nattyncbridenattyncbride member
    edited November 2014
    What everyone else said.  Plus: if you just blab or cry through the whole session (I have done this), the therapist picks through what's going on, and helps you out (whether just helping articulate better how you feel, arming you with skills to deal with what's going on, etc).  It's the one place where blabbing and crying incomprehensibly is OK, and someone is there to make sense of it all with you. 

    It's like venting to your best friend about everything that's bothering you, except this person is PAID to listen to you so no guilt about being all 'me me me', and he/she generally has sound advice!

    Good luck, and congrats for doing this for yourself.
    If being a math nerd is wrong, I don't wanna be right!
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  • MrsT0514MrsT0514 member
    edited November 2014
    Therapy is a lifesaver. I love my therapist. Both DH and I see our therapists individually and we see one as a couple as well. Its been amazing.

    Your first session will be mostly a "getting to know you" session. The therapist will probably ask questions about your background, family, childhood, etc to get a handle on who you are and what type of personality you have. At least thats what mine did. Then she also asked what my expectations were and what I am looking to accomplish through therapy.

    Depending on his/her counseling style, the first few sessions may be mostly background stuff with the therapist leading, or he/she may let you take the lead to talk about whatever is on your mind. Besides getting any pertinent info regarding what I'm talking about, my therapist usually allows me free reign to talk about whatever I want/need and she follows my lead. But I've also been seeing her well over a year now, and since MH sees one of her partners in the practice, we have a full disclosure/transparency type of agreement with them, which allows them to communicate with each other in regards to both of us/our progress and share whatever advice/tips either of them feel may benefit us either individually or as a couple.

    I know its nervewracking while you are waiting for your appt. But hang in there and give it a chance. You'll feel a million times better after your session! GL. :)
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  • shella923shella923 member
    Man, I felt the same way you did, but boy, now I miss it! Therapy is the best! My first session we chatted for a few (me with a puss on my face) and then I went into why I was there (horrible post partum OCD).  I even told him I didn't want to be there. It was one of the best things I ever did in my lief.  Now two other family members see him.  GL!
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  • J+A10J+A10 member
    So I am a therapist... Each therapist has their own style and their own way of handling a first appointment. Most people are very nervous/anxious to begin therapy so you're not alone with this one. My biggest recommendation is to tell the therapist what you are most comfortable with. If you WANT to talk do the entire session to tell your story, then that's what you should do. If you feel you need the therapist to lead the conversation then request that from him/her. If so, therapist can ask you questions for you to answer, a lot of people prefer this for the first session. To begin the therapist will try to get to know you and a general idea of your needs. The conversation may be about why you are seeking therapy, your current symptoms, family history, physical health etc. Most importantly just speak up about what you need and your therapist should work with your request, if not then that therapist might not be the best one for you. Just remember that you're in charge and if you don't feel that this therapist is the best fit for you meet with other ones.
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  • ShakeyJakeyShakeyJakey member
    I just had my first one last week, and I was really nervous too. She asked me some general questions about why I came in, family and personal medical history. We didn't get into too much detail, but we did talk enough for her to prescribe me some medications. There were also some questionnaires that I had to fill out about how I feel. Mine was a psychiatrist though, so I don't know if all places make you do the paper part.


    Good luck, and good for you for taking the step. Don't cancel. And don't fell bad if you don't have a connection right away, or ever, because there are a lot of therapists out there so you have a lot of options.

    Harry Styles = Life Ruiner

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  • Bythebeach09Bythebeach09 member
    At my first appointment my therapist also asked me to name 3 goals that I hope therapy can help me meet, since I had a bunch of things going on. She said we can add to or take away from that list as needed, but it was a good way to focus at the start. That question caught me off guard a bit, but once I thought about it it helped me identify and focus on what brought me there. I often think about my goals and where I'm at in meeting them. I think it helps.
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