First Time In Therapy? Here Is What To Expect From Your Session

Are you also planning to start your first session with your therapist? Do you also feel anxious and do not know what to talk about?

What to expect from the first session?

Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, there will be times during your first session when you will feel like you have "run out" of things to say. Psychologists too agree that it is not uncommon for people to come to the session and be unsure on what they want to discuss. This happens because opening up is tough and may not come as easily, especially when you are just getting to know your therapist.

While some therapists give you an assessment to help them understand you better, others might let you lead the conversation.

However, if you are unsure on what to say in your first session, here are some things and ideas you can ponder upon:

Start with 'small' issues

It may seem like you need to start off strong and with things like "deep" and "serious" issues. However, it is okay to start with small things that bothers you at work, or at home. These small things can lead to bigger things, rather than starting with a big incident of your life.

Journal, if you must

It is always a great idea to track your thoughts, patterns and behaviors by keeping a journal. It helps you see and reflect on how things have triggered your thoughts and changed your mood.

Present feelings

Try to focus on how you feel in the present. When you are in therapy, instead of thinking hard about what happened during the week, try to ponder upon what made you book the session today. Did something happen today? Or did something happened at work?

Are you thinking about something again and again?

Depression and anxiety both involve rumination. It is a tendency that leads one to think about the same thing over and over again. Usually, it happens when you have a hard time falling asleep one night and that you mind would not stop thinking about it. If something similar is happening to you, it is best that you talk about this to your therapist too.

Relationships

If you are having trouble with your partner, or how one communicates, it is important you share this with your therapist. However, relationships always do not mean your love life. This could be about anything, it could be about you and your parents, your kids, your siblings, and even about your pets. If you have lost someone close and this has affected your mood significantly, you can also talk about that. If you felt betrayed by a close friend, you can also talk to your therapist about it.

Past Traumas

If there is a traumatic incident that to this date impacts how you think or talk, it is important that you bring it up with your therapist. It may seem difficult to talk about it the first thing in the first session. However, it is okay to do that, because your thoughts are kept confidential, and it is important that you remember that.

New challenges

Everyone likes their comfort zones, and no body wants to go to a new place, try new things, and come across new challenges, etc. However, it is part and parcels of our lives to come across new things. It can be difficult to navigate and this is where talking to your therapist about it can help.