new therapist! Im nervous!

going to see a new therapist today at 3:00 pm and i'm very nervous about it.

What will i say? will i say anything at all? is she going to be nice? will she be understanding? is she going to be one of those "I will give you a medicine for anything and everything" type of person?

I'm really nervous

seeing a new T is not easy for me

I'm going to have to get comfortable and trusting all over again with a complete stranger

I'm really hoping this one will be able to pull more things out of me because that was one of the things i have a real problem with, talking about my problems face to face with someone.

I will let you guy's know how it went afterwards.

My guess is that things will go well. Yes, it is scary starting with a new therapist - but you seem to communicate well.... I think this will be a good thing.

how about you say everything in your post to your new therapist.

I'm going to bring my journal with to see if that will help

thats a good thought maybe i'll bring my laptop with me as well as my journal

thank you

Best wishes to you bazzinga, I'm going for an "intake" today, so I'm not trying to make this about me, just feel the same, wondering when I get my t (well it will be a registered nurse, i can't afford a real therapist), where to start, will she be understanding and helpful. I usually just go with the ? attitude, that this is for me, and to let it all out, just what's on my mind at the time, and it hasn't worked for me. This time, I think I'll let the nurse decide what to ask me about. Its never really helped so far, but I need the help, so when we realize that it is for ourselves, and not really anything to do with what kind of person your therapist will be, (they are supposed to be trained for everything and helpful, and keep things confidential) maybe that will help you? hugs

Hi Ashley, yes it'll probably take some time to feel comfortable with her afterall you're going to be gradually sharing a lot of personal information/feelings aren't you. But that's alright because you can go at your own pace.
Just get it out at the beginning and tell her that you're feeling nervous and let her help you with that, she should be understanding as I'm sure a lot of people will feel like that starting with a new T.
After you've given her a bit of an outline, just let her lead the way and tell you what the sessions are going to be about and her approach to begin with. Ask her to do that if she doesn't that way you'll get to know her/about her a bit more from the beginning.
And if you feel in your sessions that she's going the wrong way (not everyone can get everything right every time- she's only human) you know that you really can let her know how something doesn't feel "right" so that she can explain more or/and work more towards what you need.
And just remember you've already made massive steps in being open about what's going on for you. You really have!! So while it might take a little time with her, you know/I know you have it in you!!
And Ashley!! You know I also think you've got amazing insight into things!! Now while I know therapy might not always be easy that's going to put you "streets ahead"!!! You're already way further than it probably feels like!!
Now try to let it give you confidence that you've opened up so much to us. It should!!
And it's her privilege to have you "on her books"!! Really!! Confidence, confidence, confidence!!
But remember you also have us behind you regardless!!
Alison

thanks and yeah the only reason i can afford it is insurance and even then insurance is expensive too. i really hope things work out for you too and if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here with a listening ear.

Confidence. ok, yes i can do this! and i will definitely take up your always wonderful advice and go with it. i will also bring up what im doing on this site and on youtube and that way is she ever wanted to check out my videos, she could have that option too. i really do feel a bit better about this now, thank you. and i'm not going to let this be the focus of my day either.

Your right, if i can open up to you guys so much here as well as on youtube, then i should definitely be able to with her. and i like the ideas that you had to about allowing her basically to help me or to take the lead.

I always take my mood log that has really turned into a journal. My pdoc just reads the whole thing and then we talk about it.

You write well Bazz so use that to your advantage. I get so nervous sometimes I totally forget everything I wanted to say.

Maybe write down not just how you are doing, but what are your expectations, what do you want to get out of therapy, what are your goals. This is harder but I bet she will ask those types of questions.

very good advice i will definitely use this too. thank you my friend.