[rainbow8]

I have 2 Ts to choose from, and I will probably see each one before I make my decision. I have to pay for these sessions. So, since I already asked them questions on the phone, can I just jump right in, or is it too soon? Can I see how they respond to me, or will they just want all my background information first? If they want my history, then how will I know which one to choose? I'd rather talk about my primary issue, and see right then and there how they are going to treat me.

Does it have to be like "starting over" with a new T? I want to get right to the issues. Guess I'm a little over excited!

I have to reread the article on PC about first sessions, but I wanted to know what others have done when they are selecting a T. Thanks.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by rainbow8

I have 2 Ts to choose from, and I will probably see each one before I make my decision. I have to pay for these sessions. So, since I already asked them questions on the phone, can I just jump right in, or is it too soon? Can I see how they respond to me, or will they just want all my background information first? If they want my history, then how will I know which one to choose? I'd rather talk about my primary issue, and see right then and there how they are going to treat me.

Does it have to be like "starting over" with a new T? I want to get right to the issues. Guess I'm a little over excited!

I have to reread the article on PC about first sessions, but I wanted to know what others have done when they are selecting a T. Thanks.

Sure you can. we get all kinds of people where I vollunteer,intern and do rotations, some are comfortable jumping right in to heres my problem, this is what Im doing and its not working any ideas what I can try, and we get others that its like prying two cement blocks out of a brick wall just to find out the persons name, address and phone number. what evers comfortable with you go for it, its your money your time to do what you want with it.

[mixedup_emotions]

I haven't done any reading on this, so you are probably further ahead than I would ever be...but I'd think that if you are paying for the session and considering "hiring them" as your T, you have every right to get a feel for how they react/respond to your issues. I would even go as far as to say that this is more about how you feel about them.

I didn't go through any real process when selecting my T....A friend of mine recommended him. I used him for marriage counseling for a few sessions....discontinued at his recommendation for my husband to seek psychiatric care as well as individual counseling....and then about 6 months later, I reached out to our marriage counselor, desperate for help with my declining marriage/situation....and he ended up becoming my individual T.

[Rapunzel]

Yes, real therapy can happen in a single session. You might tell them right up front what it is that you want, so that they will know where you want to focus and go with you rather than asking a lot of questions that might not be what you need in a single session. You might also try writing out some of your background information - whatever you think might be important for them to know, and take copies of it with you to save time.

[BlueMoon6]

Rainbow- I think you may be able to evaluate a lot in a first session. See how interested and attentive she is to your issues. Does she "get it"? I would say, talk about your history, what you are concerned with, the same things you discussed on the phone but you can go into more detail. See how she responds to you. Really try to listen to see if she is a fit for you. Does she seem to understand intuitively what you need and are asking for? Does she want to go in the direction that you want to go in? Do the inner child work or whatever it is you want to do?

I think you will know it you are comfortable with her and if she has the attitude toward the bpd diagnosis that you are looking for. I was a little wary when ftt said she doesnt think much of diagnosis, but now I understand why.

[sunrise]

Rainbow, I agree with BlueMoon, you will learn a lot at the first session.The T's demeanor and way of responding will tell you oodles. Since the therapist relationship is one of the most important components of therapy, you will be learning a lot.

I have had two first visits, since I've had 2 therapists, and they were totally different, so it is hard to predict what yours will entail. My first T took a very formal history, and wanted to know all sorts of unrelated stuff, like how many drinks I had each day, whether I smoked, etc. (I was not there for anything related to addiction.) The first session was really quite dull. I think this T didn't have the confidence and experience to talk with me without this formal history. My second T wanted to know what brought me to see him, and that's what we talked about--what was relevant. He was able to learn a lot about me through our discussion instead of by rote questioning. He also wanted to know about my relationship with my mother, LOL. (Classic!) And he told me about himself and then told me a lot about EMDR, because he was proposing we do this. I learned a tremendous amount from him through his affect and reactions to me.

Therapy really begins the moment you walk in that office, even though it may not seem like you are "doing therapy." If you aren't sure after one session, you can have a second.

[quoute]Does it have to be like "starting over" with a new T? I want to get right to the issues.[/quote]One thing you don't need to do is go over everything you have worked on with former therapists. You may have worked on important issues in the past and resolved them successfully. You don't need to tell the new T all the past stuff. You can just start where you are at that day.