About to see a therapist

I'm going to see a new psychiatrist, and I'm not quite sure what to say. I've been dealing with some depression, self-hate, and self-harm.
Should I bring a journal I've been keeping to track my mood, even though it's on my computer, and I'm not willing to print it out? Is it smart to prepare something to say beforehand? What should I expect to happen during and after my appointment?

Psychiatrists are usually for dosing meds, not actual therapy. For that, you need a therapist, who will talk with you and work through your feelings, help you with insight into your issues, etc. Your psychiatrist may help you find a therapist who can see you on a weekly or biweekly or twice-weekly schedule, whatever you need and can afford. You should be prepared to give your psychiatrist a synopsis of your feelings and any insight you have into what's causing them. Like, "I've always felt depressed, but I'm having a hard time as my husband left me for a girlfriend and I'm feeling really alone and sad right now. Sometimes I don't feel like it's worth living anymore." Your pdoc will take it from there and ask you questions. It really won't be that hard.

if it helps to have something to take with you to say, then you can always jot some notes. I tend to email myself a list of things I want to be sure to cover, but I rarely look at it unless I feel like I'm floundering (I can access it from my phone). The first session even with a psychiatrist is generally about 45 minutes so they can get more of your story. Most of the time, they will ask specific questions to get to the information they are looking for. They might start with "what brings you here today" but I find therapists are more likely to ask that question than psychiatrists.