Therapy Question?!
Question: Tomorrow I'm going to see a new therapist for the first time in a year and 1/2. A lot has happened since last time.
Any tips on how to explain myself about what has happened to me?
Or is it her job to take over?
Any tips?
Answers: Tomorrow I'm going to see a new therapist for the first time in a year and 1/2. A lot has happened since last time.
Any tips on how to explain myself about what has happened to me?
Or is it her job to take over?
Any tips?
Make a list - mental or written - of important things you would like to tell the therapist. Specifically, what is prompting you to go to therapy now, any type of trauma history, your experience with therapy and/or medications in the past, and what you are hoping to achieve by coming to therapy at this point in time.
Every therapist has his or her own style. Some follow a specific list of questions, while others let the natural direction of the conversation take over. You should feel comfortable with the person and the style of the conversation.
If, toward the end of the session, you have not touched upon the specific things you listed (from above), then let the therapist know.
Remember, this is the first session. I always look at this as the information gathering/getting to know you session. If talking about what has happened to you is very detailed and emotional, you might want to consider giving a brief description of what has happened, with the thought of wanting to focus on this issue in future sessions.
Psychiatrists have different approaches to initiating a conversation. Usually they start with broad questions like:
"So, how are you today?"
"How can I help you?"
"Is this your first therapy?"
If you don't think anything like that could get you started, be honest and just say "this is my first therapy in 1 1/2 years and I don't know where to start". If that's on your mind, say that.
Tell everything. Don't rely on the doctors to fix you and find out your history. You have to be honest and help yourself too!
I was amazed at how much I figured out about myself just by talking about everything. It's a lot different hearing yourself say something than just having it go on inside your head.
Good luck and please be honest!