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Originally Posted by dismissed feelings
I know there is really no right answer to this question but I am very anxious that with my second attempt at therapy I need to express myself and my concerns better. I feel like to get him to take me seriously and not feel dismissed again I need to somehow get myself to stop acting so nonchalant during the first session as a result of anxiety and be more specific. However, part of why I am seeing someone is I do not really know what is specifcally eating at me and causing most of the anger, irritability, sadness, anxiety, tears, problems concentrating, low energy, binge eating, etc. Should I just list all those things? It seems that would sound like a feel sorry for me list when in actuality I am afraid I will not be understood or listened to so I want to help them understand as much as possible from the get go so I will get the help I really need.  |
Yes, just list all those things!! You're seeing a therapist because you want help, not because you know exactly what's wrong. When I started with my T, all I told her was that I was struggling with anxiety...that was really only the tip of the iceburg, but it was all I felt comfortable sharing in that first session. Just be honest, you don't have to go in to detail. Tell the T you're afraid of being misunderstood. Ask them if they do understand what you're telling them. If the T knows these are worries of yours, they can address them.
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Originally Posted by dismissed feelings
However, I am afraid if I do not express myself well enough he will decide not to see me and then I will be out of luck in finding anyone who can truly help. Also, I am in my mid-30s so will they even feel depth therapy is too much too late?  |
It's not too late! (It better not be, I'm in my mid-30's too and I have been seeing my T and doing in depth therapy for 2 years). It's never too late...the T isn't going to look at your age and say "nope, too old, I can't help you."