Therapy Prep

[Mr. Bauta]

I haven’t been to therapy in so long, roughly 6 years ago. I only stopped because my therapist left for something else or moved (can’t really recall). What should I prepare for?

I’m unsure of what to expect going again for the beginning. I’d namely need to avoid smothering the poor counselor with what’s been keeping me uneasy and anxious within the first 10 minutes.

It makes me especially feel nauseous thinking that it’s namely to overcome the sources for my suicidal tendencies. It churns my stomach to think they may feel guilty if I did something harmful to myself. Because as things stand, I ought to really decide to live or die now while I still have time to try salvaging things.

 

[Greyghost]

Hi @Mr. Bauta first of all, breathe........

It is perfectly natural to feel anxious at the thought of starting again with a new therapist, so don't add that to the list of things you are beating yourself up over.

You haven't said whether the therapy is in person or online, but whichever, the therapist will be used to dealing with nervous clients and should be able to put you at your ease.

If there is more than one thing you are going back to therapy for, my suggestion would be to jot a few bullet points down so that you know beforehand what it is you would like to talk about and it will act as a memory aide if your mind goes blank. I have found this very helpful, and still use it regularly even though I've been seeing my T for some time now. You may find that the first session is an intake session anyway, where the T asks you to tell them a bit about yourself, what has brought you to therapy etc.

With regard to the suicidal stuff, I totally get your hesitation about bringing this up with them. Again, hopefully you will have an idea of whether this T is experienced in dealing with suicidal ideation. It is something you could ask them in a kind of general way, I think I phrased it something like: "Are you ok dealing with clients who have suicidal ideation?" If they are willing to discuss is and explain how they would deal with it, what safeguards they might have to put in place and you are comfortable with what they tell you, then you will get a feel for whether or not this is something you could open up to them about.

Generally, so long as you are not at immediate risk, suicidal ideation is a topic most experienced therapists won't shy away from. If it is important for you to be able to discuss it, and they seem unwilling, find another T.

I hope this is of some help to you and if there is anything else you want to know, just ask.
Good luck!

Greyghost.

 

[may71]

I haven’t been to therapy in so long, roughly 6 years ago

How long were you in therapy?

I’d namely need to avoid smothering the poor counselor with what’s been keeping me uneasy and anxious within the first 10 minutes.

In principle, letting it all out from the very beginning could be really good, especially if that's what you'd feel like doing. It might be worth asking other people on the forums what their experiences are with this.

So even if a therapist was put off by this, it would be a sign from the start that they wouldn't be a good match for you.

 

[Mr. Bauta]

How long were you in therapy?

In principle, letting it all out from the very beginning could be really good, especially if that's what you'd feel like doing. It might be worth asking other people on the forums what their experiences are with this.

So even if a therapist was put off by this, it would be a sign from the start that they wouldn't be a good match for you.

For about 4 years worth of therapy, namely trying to treat social anxiety and depression. Which, looking back, I didn’t articulate my issues very well nor understand my own problems thoroughly at the time. In hindsight, I was just terrible at communicating my issues which would often mean I’d get thrown back into the fire with the same results. With the period of life I’m in now, I like to believe I have a firm grasp of what my issues are now.

Though, you’re right. I at least want to let it out in a controlled manner so I can sleep soundly I didn’t put too much over them. Expanding into them are what further sessions are for anyways.

 

[Gonz]

I’m unsure of what to expect going again for the beginning. I’d namely need to avoid smothering the poor counselor with what’s been keeping me uneasy and anxious within the first 10 minutes.

You might try writing down all that stuff in advance and giving it to them at the first session. It’d help you get your thoughts in order, and help them come up with a plan that’ll address what’s most important to you. And, once they know the main issues, you can kinda let them set the pace when it comes to addressing specific points.