This monday is my first trip for therapy, I am a nervious and excited that my journey in getting moving.

I worried about tell the doctor to little, whats the norm for you first visit.


Love

Caroline


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i have the same questions i imagine all of us do, best of luck and you'll do fine i'm sure

From what I understand the first session is basically so you can feel the therapist out, and vice versa. For instance if you have a major personality clash with them or don't like their manner or don't think they are qualified to help it is generally the first session or so when then happens.

I don't think there is much worry about telling to little, but do make sure you disclose enough so you both can discern if they can help or not.

As long as you've done your homework and are comfortable with your choice of therapist it should not be so bad. As has been said many times before, just be honest

You'll both do fine, I have confidence in you!

Good luck Caroline,

I think that being honest would be best. If you are not I would think that it could lead to the therapist not being able to provide you with what you want from the session.

Shelley

Hi Caroline.  The during first session the therapist will usually try to get a background on you.  They may ask about any family or friends, etc.  Make sure you state why you are seeing them.

Melissa

Hey Caroline, congrats on your first visit to the therapist.  I'll be going to my fourth visit on Monday. 

On my first visit we talked about the information on the forms I submitted, to make sure there were no mistakes, I explained why I was there (feeling a little frightened because, heck, every other time I told I got my "butt kicked") and felt reassured because of his professional and very nonjudgmental manner.  We discussed my medical insurance.  He asked about my SO who was waiting in the hallway and then asked me to begin writing an autobiography.  I asked him for a recommendation regarding a local support group which he gave.  All in all, the first visit was shorter that I expected and not nearly as frightening as I had feared.

The next two visits were spent on more "getting to know you" stuff rather than any kind of therapy, tests, questionaires, etc.  I expect that will evolve as we go on.

The autobiography was very difficult for me.  I've only completed it to age 20.  All of the rotten stuff that I lived through was re-experienced.  I found myself getting angry and depressed over things that had happened thirty or more years ago!  The benefit was, of course (as he intended), that remembering things to write down reminded me of other things that I had repressed and it kind of snowballed.

I'm feel sure that your experience will be pleasant and reassuring.  Every once in a while I read about some bad experiences but they're very few and far between.  We'll love to hear what you think when you come back after the appointment!

Go for it, girlfriend!
helen

Just like Kimberly said Caroline

First visit will be background mainly, your childhood, parents etc.  Like everying it goes from the general to the particular - the first session should be to set the framework.

Don't worry about telling your therapist too little he/she is the professional and will know what questions to ask, how to put you at ease and stuff   Though having said that my first session I ended up bawling my eyes out - me who NEVER cried

It will be a liberating experience Caroline

Well?   

My first visit I was not that talkative.  I consented to a criminal background check and she asked me about my past and present.  90 minutes of biography.  The second therapist (due to retirement by the 1st) was much easier.  "This is who I am, this is what I want, and this is how I am doing it."

Hope it went well, Caroline!

It's natural to be nervous the first time, but that goes away. Do know that you can't possibly cover everything in one hour long session. Individual counsellors will vary widely. For reasons I won't get into here, I had to switch after my first visit; the former counsellor made sure to have me fill out all the paperwork right away whereas the one I'm seeing now put forth a friendly atmosphere and just sorta took the paperwork a little at a time.

Never heard of having to do an autobiography before - sounds like it'd be a time consuming, but certainly interesting, task to take on.