Hope this finds everyone well!

So. I finally dealt with some health insurance issues, got on a plan and found me a new therapist. It's been about 3 years almost (eek) since I was seeing someone regularly. My former therapist doesn't take my insurance and sadly, her rates are way more than I can afford.

So I did research, for a good week. Found someone I felt connected to because of some things she wrote....And saw her last week. I was SO excited for my appointment - just to get the ball rolling, I thought, would give me some relief....I'd feel productive and better.

I didn't.

I felt SO HORRIBLE after. For one thing, I just was so eager to get things rolling and let this complete stranger know what I was dealing with that I just UNLOADED everything. I mean, I answered her questions and was just brutally honest.

I suppose I just said out loud all these things going on that I hadn't. So they got brought up to the surface. . . .I felt a little bit "Judged" by her, but that could have just been me. I left and started crying and crying before I even got out of the parking structure. I know I need to see her at least one more (maybe two more) times before forming an opinion about whether or not we can work together but . . . ugh. It just hurt.

I know this was my general intake/first appointment....but now I'm going back tomorrow and I'm kinda dreading it. I'm afraid I'm going to be emotionally debilitated all day tomorrow afterwards.

Is this normal? What are some of your tips or experiences with new therapists?