[moltenwater77]

I have begun therapy sessions, I don't know what to expect or how I can make the most of it? Anyone have any helpful experiences or advice?

[Ygrec23]

You can expect to get out of it what you put into it, friend. If you don't devote yourself to it heart and soul, if you're not utterly serious about it but just dipping your toes in the water, if you don't make a clean breast of your life and feelings to T, well, you're just wasting your time and money.

On the other hand, if you frankly put your concerns and worries on the table between you and T, if you share with him/her honestly and forthrightly what brings you to therapy and what you want from therapy, if you're brave enough to share with T all those hidden fears and desires you've never revealed to anyone else, well then, you can and will restructure your mind and feelings and thereafter live a less painful, more satisfying, happier life.

If you read a lot of the traffic in the psychotherapy forum here you'll see members in many different circumstances with their T's. Some are farther along than others with their work. Some may be stuck on transference or other issues with T.

Well, T is as human as you are, but much, MUCH more highly trained in being a T and doing what T's need to do. It's VERY doubtful that T will have all that many REAL negative characteristics, as opposed to the negative characteristics that you as a patient PROJECT onto T.

So simmer down. Get serious. Spill ALL the beans to T, embarassing or not. Bring him/her dreams if they're that kind of T. Do the homework your T gives you. Journal for your T. But first, last and always: be as utterly serious about your work in therapy as you could possibly ever be about anything. And take care.

[skilite]

Originally Posted by moltenwater77

I have begun therapy sessions, I don't know what to expect or how I can make the most of it? Anyone have any helpful experiences or advice?

After many years in therapy I realized that the majority of my concerns were directed to any and all things without very much being about my concerns, my feelings, my betrayals etc. I think it would serve you well to focus on is going on inside of you and own this as a guide for you in therapy. A really good counselor will take little credit for your growth as a person and allow you to be proud of yourself. Regardless of the outcome of your sessions, listen to the responses you hear from the person who's life you have chosen to relate your problems to. Take credit where credit is due remembering to direct the majority of this to yourself. Your search is for you. It should not serve as fodder for the counselor to chew on. Promise yourself that you will be as truthful as you can possibly be to yourself. Try to avoid making your counselor your protector. Protect yourself with the truth and look for signs that the therapist is actually concerned. If you do not get the feeling he or she is, you owe it to yourself to go at least 6 times. After all you are putting yourself out there and what goes out there should be a lot of what I call 'words unspoken.' prioritize your concerns and try to be as honest as you feel you must. I languished in therapy and a puddle of medications and then I realized one day that honesty is so important when it comes to revealing yourself.
After all, answers or responses to your statements can only be as true as you offer the truth. Spend time making a list of your priorities and address them. Do not make the mistake of feeling that your time with the councilor is your opportunity to confess over and over your short comings. Therapy is hard, as it should be and it should lead you to understand that the answers you
are already in you. Being the source of the truth about yourself
is yours to own. Please reply and let me know how you are doing. My time is short and I will save some for you as often as I can. In the mean time know that many of us in here are or are where you have been so don't feel alone. peace.

[turquoisesea]

Originally Posted by moltenwater77

I have begun therapy sessions, I don't know what to expect or how I can make the most of it? Anyone have any helpful experiences or advice?

I think that's something to bring up with your therapist. I'd think about what YOU want to gain from it. What brought you in there, etc. I'd say that you should remember therapy is a long term type thing. You won't get "healed" in a few sessions - the effects are more long term.

[pgrundy]

I try to define what our goal is at the git go. Even if we veer off in other directions, having a clearly defined goal helps me to focus and take the process seriously, even if I'm feeling cynical or reluctant. I've had half a dozen rounds of therapy that lasted between six months and five years. This round, at 10 months now and counting, is about sorting out how my illness has impacted my work life and sorting through all that to get to a better place.

Past rounds have been about relationships, family, and recovery from trauma (the longest stretch).

For me, therapy works best when I'm on meds, the right ones. Otherwise I just come in and cry for an hour per week.

Good luck!

[moltenwater77]

Thanks! Near the end of my session yesterday, I was feeling like I was about to burst into tears.

[moltenwater77]

Thanks. I've only been twice now and I guess I just expected her to ask more questios or give me more suggestions instead of just letting me ramble on during the session. I'll be sure to bring my concerns up at the next meeting.

[moltenwater77]

Thanks. I am trying to reply to each post, but it seems to go to the bottom of the page. But I appreciate everyone's input.

Truthfully, I have been holding back because this is new to me and I am embarrassed and uncertain if I should really reveal all of my past traumas and betrayals. I have so many! I feel weak and vulnerable right now. I feel somewhat ashamed that I even need therapy, but then again, I've always felt I needed therapy and I'm missing too much of my life trying to handle things on my own. I just want to make sure that I won't be judged and get a biased assesment. I wrote up a list of what I wanted to bring up with her in my session and I chickened out because it was just so embarrasing. But thanks to everyone here who responded and gave me some idea of what to expect and how I can make the most of my time in T.

BTW, my therapist is a student at a local university who is working closely with a licensed therapist. I am getting my T at a discounted rate and if there is anything she feels she can't handle, she'll refer to her professor to get any advice on how to handle the situation. I feel she is doing a good job so far, it's only been 2 sessions, but I will definitely let my self get more personal so I can work through these past experiences and get better. Once again, Thank you all, and I will let you know how I'm doing.

For me, a treatment plan formulated by both you and your therapist is critical to achieving a good result. Read about treatment plans here: http://blogs.psychcentral.com/therap...t-plan-series/ and here (if you missed it).

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/psyc...counseling.htm