Youve taken the leap and scheduled a first appointment with a therapist.
Every therapist is different, as is every therapy session.
Still, there are certain elements that you’re able to anticipate in just about any appointment.
After scheduling your first appointment with a therapist, heres how you could mentally prepare for the session.
Manage your expectations for what youll get out of your first appointment.
Its likely far more introductory and far less probing that you might be thinking.
Mentally walk through the session
Uncertainty is likely the root cause of your anxiety right now.
By mentally walking through your upcoming appointment, you’re able to ease some of those nerves.
The session will likely kick off with small talk.
This is not a trap.
Then, your therapist might directly ask you what brought you to their office on this day.
Prepare yourself to answer the question of why youre seeking therapy.
Have you attended therapy in the past?
What are your symptoms?
What brought you to therapy?
Do you have any mental health issues in your family history?
How is your living situation/home life?
Do you have a history of suicidal ideation?
Do you have a history of self-harm?
What do you hope to get from therapy?
Prepare your own questions for your therapist
Therapy is not a one-way interrogation.
If it helps you, consider asking your new therapist the following questions:
How does patient confidentiality work?
When would you oughta break it?
How long have you been a therapist?
Do you specialize in certain mental health issues?
What kind of things should I plan to do between our sessions?
What advice do you have to help me get the most out of our time together?
This is a common practice and could save you time, money, and mental anguish.
If something feels off, listen to that feeling.
Therapy is a highly individualized practice, and not every pairing is going to work out.
If you cant imagine the two working together long-term, its OK not to book a second session.
One of the hardest parts of therapy is showing up to this appointment in the first place.
Dont sweat if the first appointment was a no-go.
More on mental health and online therapy from G/O Medias partner.
