[MarkNoo11]

How does therapy begin. My therapist does not seem to be doing anything. Do they ask me questions? Do they try and get me to set a goal.

Is there a post/article that outlines what is supposed to happen if you have a good therapist?

These folks must belong to a professional association, is there an intake procedure they are recommended to follow.

[Altered Moment]

Is it your first time?
How much info does the T have on you going in?
Do you have a pdoc and meds?

In general they should know your whole history. What is your diagnosis. What symptoms are you currently having. Why did you seek therapy. What do you want to get out of it. What is the underlying causes of the diagnosis and symptoms. What goals should we have. What should we work on first. What type of therapy.

The first and most important step is to build trust. For you to be comfortable. You want someone who is very empathetic. That you think really understands and will not judge.

How many sessions have you had?

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What should you expect from a therapist??

Bills, lots and lots of bills.

[Curupira]

It depends on the therapist. Not every therapist is going to be the right fit for your needs.

It is true that they need your whole story but you can ask questions as well. What is their approach to therapy, what do they see as their role in the therapy process etc.

I have had great therapists and terrible ones, so don't beafaraid to dump one if they are not helping you.

[Rapunzel]

Different therapists have different styles, which is good because different clients have different needs. Some therapists will start with a formal assessment, while others will be less structured and let you decide what you want to talk about. It might also depend on funding and whether you (or your funding source) is paying for an assessment (which takes more time and is more expensive) or just to start sessions. There should be goals and a treatment plan, and you should be involved in selecting goals and treatment strategies, although some therapists will tell you that is what they are doing and others will simply base it on what you have talked about. If you want to know about any of this and how your therapist is doing it, ask. Therapists don't know that you are interested in details like these if you don't say something, because a lot of clients don't want to spend their session time on this stuff so the therapist takes care of it.