[Monsieur]

Hi everyone,

I'm going to my first mental health oriented appointment this Thursday. I really don't want to waste time or give an ambiguous description of my problems so I was hoping I could prepare a mental script ahead of time. I know many of you are quite well versed with your therapists so I was wondering what kind of questions do they generally ask? On the first meeting especially. As for the technical background information of myself, I don't believe there's much I could give besides the general details: age 17, male, no prior medications, no prior mental health diagnoses, no prior physical health maladies.

Thanks everyone,
~Monsieur

[imapatient]

It varies. But you'll be asked, in so many words, this (and think about how to answer it): Why did you come here today? That's your cue to explain what Mental issues you have--negative feelings, depression, anxious, self-harm?, obsessed, can't get over something, anger, confused, etc. Then Practical issues: performance at school or work slipping, relationships (with self, family, boss, teacher, person of romantic interest), career path decisions, etc. AND then there's Physical issues (they usually ask about these things, but you want to make sure you tell them if there are any problems)--can't sleep, sleep too much, appetite gone/out of control, drugs, drinking, losing/gaining weight, over-energized?, lethargic?, lose your temper?..........

There are reasons why you're going. Try to be very clear about them--the types of things above. Maybe your family is pushing you, school, etc. Tell that. Don't lie to hide something like drugs etc. They're T's, not cops. Don't lie.

Then you'll be asked about your background--family history is the main focus usu. Did things go on outside the family with others that are significant--teachers, coaches, someone else's parents, etc.? And more.

What you'll be asked specifically depends on what you say about yourself first, the specific T, etc. No two meetings will be alike. It's a lot of improv; fluid exchanges that are unpredictable. You need to tell your narrative, and the T needs to dig in here and there to identify the bigger issues.

One word of advice I have about an initial T meeting is something that I give younger people about job interviews: Sometimes the person interviewing you isn’t a good interviewer, whatever other strengths they have. You're the source of knowledge about you, and it's up to you to make sure that person comes to know you and the relevant factors involved (for a job, your strengths. For therapists, strengths and weaknesses are both important for them to know). So for some interviews, just straightforward answer the person's questions (the good interviewer), but for others, you need to give answers and offer info that they need to know even though they didn't do a good job of asking. Those are the bad interviewers. You need to be more active and assertive with them; to an extent sometimes answer the question they SHOULD have asked rather than the one they DID ask (requires some deftness at times). All to make sure they learn what they need to know about you. When you throw out at them what they need to know in the basics, they'll dig further as is best for therapeutic/diagnostic purposes. This to start off with, not nec. about what happens once you're doing therapy with a particular person.

The fact that you've gone this far to find PC and post here is a good sign of your maturity and ability to handle yourself.

Good luck.

[ECHOES]

I knew what kind of therapy I was interested in (analysis), so I asked her orientation. I asked about her education and experience. I asked if she could help 'someone like me'. lol

The therapist will help you tell him/her what brings you there. Rather than prepare a script, it might feel more comfortable to decide to just say in the moment the reason/s you would think therapy could be helpful to you.

[dfh932]

I agree with all above !
I went into my first therapy session and was not 100% honest and it DID waste my time, because I wasn't honest about issues.
It might seem hard but it's not...just pick out what it is you are there for, really, what is your biggest issue?

Then be as honest as possible after that ...I mean you don't have to roll out your deepest, darkest secrets right at that moment, but the big stuff, like impatient and echoes said, just be honest about. Drugs, relationship problems (significant others, parents, friends, teachers, work, etc), sleep/eat/sex, SI and the like.

And especially, your feelings. This is super hard for me, but even if you aren't sure about your feelings...I just say, bad or good sometimes. Like, this person makes me feel bad, or x makes me feel good.

Good luck and good for you for going to t !

[amante]

It helps to jot down a list of things that you are having difficulties with so that your mind doesn't go blank when you are in front of the T. good luck with the session.

[Monsieur]

@imapatient

First off I'd like to thank you for taking the time to write such an in depth response! A lot of my difficulties stem from my communication problems, precisely something that's going to hinder my ability get my point across. I'm pretty worried about the possibility getting a bad interviewer because of this. I'm just a terrible inquisitor and it's even worse when I'm with strangers. Well hopefully if I end up stuttering profusely she'll recognize this as part of my problem...

Mental
Practical
Physical
Background

Ah, sounds like an efficient way to structure my story. I'll keep it mind in hopes that having a somewhat structured idea (although I'll try to keep myself a bit fluid) will palliate my communication difficulties. Thanks again for your response.

@ECHOES

Thanks for your response Echoes. I've had a lot of problems conducting both casual and serious conversation with my peers and teachers alike in the past. I'm hoping that she'll be able to draw out my story however my lack of ability for split second conversations makes me lean towards preparations rather then stream of conscience. I don't know, maybe I'll feel more comfortable when the time comes...

@dfh932
I appreciate your response dfh. Gah, my absolute biggest issue is kind of lofty, it could be this or that. But I'll keep in my emotions and such.

@amante
Thanks for responding amante. Yeah, I might just consider writing down a general list rather then preparing some kind of full script.

Thank you guys for your support.

[imapatient]

Originally Posted by Monsieur

@imapatient

I'm pretty worried about the possibility getting a bad interviewer because of this. I'm just a terrible inquisitor and it's even worse when I'm with strangers. Well hopefully if I end up stuttering profusely she'll recognize this as part of my problem...

I didn't mean to cause concern. T's are in fact expert interviewers who do try to draw people out--and do it well. It's the basis of their profession (talk therapy). However, I've had 10 or so intake/initial meetings in the past 2 years (T's and pdocs) and have noticed myself needing to take more initiative with a couple of them. Some of that might have been poor communication between the two of us about what we were looking to get out of the meeting. One was 1 month ago with a pdoc hired by SSDI to evaluate me; he was terrible, but then, again, he was trying to do a standardized (by the government) session for bureaucratic purposes, not therapy.

Don't worry about it. You'll most likely find it to be one of the best conversations you've ever had.

Good luck.

[Monsieur]

Thank you for your concern Imapatient! Fortunately things went very well, although I think I must of opened the floodgates on her rather then a mere orientation/introduction . I was quite hesitant at first I suppose but in the end I'm glad I went, now the unfortunate part is that her schedule is apparently booked until 3 weeks later.

By the way, would it (or is it) appropriate to ask questions concerning the therapists themselves? For example, questions regarding their personal experience or academic qualifications concerning a certain subject or group (like poor self esteem and teenagers). I know therapy is supposed to be more one sided towards me, however I'm still quite curious on behalf of her past experiences.

[ECHOES]

Monsieur, yes it is absolutely appropriate to ask about the therapist's education, licensing, and experience in the field as well as experience in helping someone with the issues you present. I also asked how long my therapist had been practicing and how long she had practiced from that office location.

Personal questions about the therapist are also okay to ask, but may not be answered. Instead you and the therapist may think together about why the question came to mind, and why it came to mind at that time...

I'm glad your visit went well