I have been in therapy on & off since I was about 20 (I'm now 52) to deal with my depression. About 6 years ago, my diagnosis was changed from depression to bipolar or manic depression. Since then the medications have helped quite a bit. The anti-depressants weren't helping much.

I quit therapy when I started feeling so well & have just returned a few months ago due to my having a relapse into a terrible depression where I overdosed.

Usually the therapy session lasts 50 min. My therapist charges $95.00/hour, but my insurance pays about 2/3 of that.

At the first session, the therapist will ask you about your background, including family members who may have had a mental illness, when you started having problems, what methods you have tried to overcome your depression (are you taking meds?), why you sought help now & what you hope to achieve through therapy.

He/she should answer any questions you have about the type of therapy he/she practices & what to expect in the therapy sessions. The other posters also had some good ideas about what to expect & questions you should ask.

Also, if you don't "click" with one therapist, do try another one (or several in my case). I had one who wanted me to play with dolls (I guess to regress to my childhood), but I really didn't think that would help me. Another thought I had PTSD, which even though I had a horrible childhood with a mentally ill mother (also an alcoholic) & an alcoholic father, I didn't think I had that condition so I discontinued seeing her.

I also only wanted to see a female therapist, due to some fears & issues I have with men.

Welcome to PC & let us know how your appt. went.--Suzy