I, for one, am glad that the taboo surrounding mental health is slowly diminishing. Don’t get me wrong—I know that the stigma is still very much alive and we still have a long way to go. Still, the conversation surrounding it has started to move in the right direction.
So, once you’ve made the brave decision to seek help for your health, here are some things you can expect in your first ever therapy session.
PREPARE TO THE STATE THE OBVIOUS MORE THAN ONCE
Like a lot of first-time meetings in life, your first meeting with your therapist will also begin with introductions. This is so you get comfortable with one another. Most therapists wouldn’t ask you delve straight into your hidden feelings. So you will be stating the obvious quite a lot about how you’ve been feeling that has lead you to their office.
YOU MIGHT NOT GET TO THE POINT AT ALL
Not every therapy session has a “big goal” per se, especially not the first one. Your therapist may ask you basic questions about the ongoings of your life before they build up to the meat of the issue.
DO NOT EXPECT AN INSTANT CONNECTION TO YOUR THERAPIST
Therapy should be a safe space for you; however, it may not feel like that right away. That’s completely normal! Wait for a couple of sessions to see what direction the sessions are taking and if they are improving your life.
YOU MAY HAVE TO MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS
There are many people who have to sit with a number of therapists before they fully feel comfortable with one. This is also something you have to be prepared for—your first therapist may not resonate with you right away, and you will have to make the tough decision of finding someone who you connect with better.
DON’T TRY TO BE PERFECT
You’ve agreed to therapy because you’re feeling raw and emotional, therefore don’t try to present a perfect picture of your life. When we find ourselves in dark places and need a helping hand, is when we seek therapy. You cannot fail at therapy because there is no right or wrong way of doing it, so just be yourself.
