So I've made an appointment with a therapist to discuss my emotional issues stemming from an eating disorder & I was wondering what to expect from the first session. Do I just let it all out--tell him everything & have a good cry? Does the therapist usually ask a lot questions & direct the conversation or will I be the one talking for an hour? Just curious--I've never been to a therapist before! The place I'm going to doesn't specialize in eating disorders, but I figured that didn't matter since I want to focus on emotional issues & whatnot. Any, please let me know what I should expect. Thanks!
As a therapist and someone in therapy, I will answer as follows. First, check with yourself that you are comfortable with this new therapist. Some therapists ask questions, while others want to hear as much from you, on a first session, as possible. My opinion, is that someone good will listen to you, ask some questions, but will respect you and know how to proceed given what you share.
I wish you all the best. It can be an amazingly healing process.
When i first went to a therapist i let it ALL OUT. I never cry, becuase of my depression, but i was bawling. And i felt better, becuase from that point on there were no secrets..she knew everything. The therapist will ask a lot of questions, and a lot of different types, and you only have to answer what you feel comfortable with. I was asked my interests, about my family and friends, my fears, my strengths, weaknesses, favorite foods, activities, sports etc.
After a year of therapy, me and my therapist are very close, and I keep nothing from her. goodluck, i hope you have a good experience! And remember to be completely honest; that's the only way therapy will work
The most important thing is for you to feel comfortable with your therapist and for you to be able to be honest with him/her. If you aren't comfortable with the one you go see, you should keep trying more out until you find one that you do feel comfortable with.
Best of luck.
Style varies from therapist to therapist. Most of the time, the goal in a first session is to get to know the client: what brought you here? is there something you want to work towards? These are the main things I try to find out. I mean, people don't go to therapy just for the fun of it...there's a reason they want to (or are order to by things like probation). Most of the therapists I know would not ask for everything the first time, unless that's what you want to give. One of the main goals to them in the beginning is helping you get to a point that you feel comfortable talking with them about things. We ask questions to figure out what will be the best approach in working with you, at least I do. And if you are asked a question that you don't feel like answering, just let them know. I have gotten the answer "I don't feel comfortable talking about that right now" which is perfectly fine. If you feel like letting it all out, then do. It's all about you, so they want to make sure that you feel ok with it.
Best of luck!
The more open you are, the easier it is for the therapist to help you. However, you may not feel comfortable letting it all out with him/her until you've built a trust relationship between the two of you.
I was pretty reserved with my therapist until my eighth hour spent with her. I'm still not fully open or comfortable talking with her, but I know I'm getting there.
Depending on how well you trust/connect with other people, it may be sooner or later than that. I'm very cautious when it comes to that, so I know I took way longer than average. She started getting a little frustrated with my more or less lack of cooperation by our third session, so I'd guess that's when people normally start to be fully open with her.
Good luck!
i was with my therapist for about a year and i too had always wondered this same thing. it was my first therapist and i wish i had asked this very question way back then. i understand what most are replying..the main thing is to feel comfortable with them. i let out so much in the beginning when i first started seeing her, but then i sort of ran out of things to say and i felt like i had to keep the conversation going. she never really talked all that much and didnt ask me too many questions..so if i had nothing to say, there was alot of dead air. that made me uncomfortable and so it started to make me not want to go see her. also, she would repeat the same things that she "thought" of me and why i was reacting the way i was..nothing new.. so i started to think she wasnt helping me as much as someone else might. i do not see her anymore and am looking into group sessions maybe.
I am working on my master's degree in clinical psychology and I have been to a few different therapists.
Usually, your first session will be a lot of background information. The therapist will ask you what you want counseling for, and then there will be an "intake interview," usually. This is when the therapist asks you about any medical conditions you might have, medications, family background, any thoughts of suicide you might have, past experiences in therapy if any, etc. After all that, you'll probably delve more in depth into your specific problems and symptoms. The therapist will talk to you about your treatment options and what he or she thinks would be the best one for you. You'll probably discuss and agree on how frequently you should come, as well.
If you feel like you need to cry, go ahead and cry. That's often part of therapy.
