Questions about first counselling session? please help?!
Question: I am really nervous about it. the person who is taking me says they don't expect me to talk about what happened to me in the first session (I was raped) so what will we talk about/do? How do i stop myself being nervous? and, just in general, what is it like? I am going in a few days, and am dead nervous?
Answers: I am really nervous about it. the person who is taking me says they don't expect me to talk about what happened to me in the first session (I was raped) so what will we talk about/do? How do i stop myself being nervous? and, just in general, what is it like? I am going in a few days, and am dead nervous?
Just relax and trust your counsellor - they know exactly what they are doing.
To you it's a big deal - of course it is! - to them it's just another 'break the ice' session = get to know a little about the person before you get into the specific trauma that person is presenting. It makes sense, you see!
By having a 'meandering chat' about nothing in particular you both get a chance to get over the strangeness of the first encounter.
If your counsellor is really good then, paradoxically, they also will be nervous - because they will be keen to 'get it right' - for your sake as much as theirs!
YOU WILL BE IN GOOD HANDS - that's the main thing.
And good luck! You deserve it!
{I had five years or so of talk therapy until a few years ago - so I know the drill!}
I've now read the previous answers and all of them are right!
I love the person who counselled me over five years as if he were my brother - but we never crossed the boundary of the patient / counsellor relationship - that is always a bad move - whoever starts it!
Think about it and you will see why! If you are PERSONALLY involved with a client / patient, you quickly become useless to them as a Counsellor - you lose your objectivity - that goes both ways!
It is commonplace for a very powerful 'bond' to be felt with a really good counsellor. They are trained in keeping it professional - and they find it very hard to do that, sometimes, believe me!
Once again - best of luck - ALL WILL BE WELL - short term or longer term - ALL WILL BE WELL!
don't worry about being nervous. talk to your counsellor about your nerves and (dis)comfort level. i was scared for my first several sessions, you are opening yourself up wide for a complete stranger. but it gets easier. and this is a huge step in the right direction for you. good luck.
you know, i knew the quicker i got it out on the table the sooner i could begin to heal. he asked me what had brought me to see him, and buddy i laid it right in his lap, at least what i knew at that point. naturally there was a lot i didnt know then that came out later on, but the quicker you lay out your issues and why you believe they are happening, the sooner you can adress them.
First they will usually talk about themselves. They will try and build a conversation with you. Most of the ones I have gone to do this. Very few of them will just start asking questions as soon as you sit down. It's hard not to be nervous. Try some breathing exercises, and have someone that you trust go with you. I always bring someone along.
start out by talking about your hobbies, friends and family
the key is to become comfortable
I felt the same way as you. I Knew I needed counselling a long long time ago...I was molested in my childhood. I was terrified at first. Our first session was mainly about what was going through my mind and my emotional state etc. She was trying to reassure me that her office was and is the safest place on earth for me But the real underlying issue (which I didn't know at the time was the root of my unbalanced, out of control emotions and behaviour) didn't come out until a couple of sessions later when I felt safe. 3 yrs later she is like the mother I never had. I still see her because sometimes its still hard to deal with people, places, and things. And she helps me along or redirects my thinking. But most of the time I am enjoying life and constantly trying to improve myself without the wreckage of the past haunting me. I thank GOD for that first session. Say a simple prayer before you step inside and let GOD do the rest.
just relax if you want to atlk about it the first day or not the counseler will understsnd let yourself heal at your own pace wich is what the counseler is trying to help you do