[tkdgirl]

So I have my first session tonight at 5:30 (only another 7.5hrs). And I'm going between freaking out (thinking I'm gonna be physically sick) and an errie sense of calmness.

So I still haven't figured out what is so scarry about therapy. There isn't much in life that scares me, I have no problem jumping out of planes, ziplining over the jungle, public speaking, needles dont even scare me anymore. And yet there is still this irrational fear of therapy. I just don't get it

Guess I'm just looking for some "pocket riders", so I can't find an excuse to back out of it last minute.

The nice thing about the first session is that, in my experience, the T was more in the driver's seat and the discussion doesn't usually get terribly intense right away. It is so much about getting introduced to each other, getting fairly general background and information. It is more in subsequent sessions that you start delving into things in much more depth generally.

Therapy is scary because we feel very vulnerable. We share things that we probably have never shared with anyone before. It's normal to have some nerves about it.

Good luck this evening. Let us know how it goes.

[pbutton]

Good luck tonight. The first session is pretty easy. Don't be too worried, the main topic is YOU, so you already know the answers to the questions you'll be asked.

[Sannah]

It is so normal to be nervous. I'll go with you! Good luck.

[sittingatwatersedge]

make room for me! this is going to go great.

Don't worry so much you are among friends!!

[roads]

Hey there, tkdgirl! I consider pocket-riding an honor. Happy to come along!

It's probably the unknown aspect that's got you nervous. Even starting with a new T after having spent a period of time working with someone else is a bit unnerving, because they all work somewhat differently.

Keep in mind, though, that this is actually a job interview: You are interviewing the therapist, deciding whether you will retain this person to work with you. You get to ask questions too, all you want. If you feel yourself getting really uptight, ask (for example) whether T has ziplined over the jungle?

[karebear1]

I'm in for the ride too.

Roadrunner's idea of lookig at this as a job interview is a great one! Go wityh a lsit of questions you have- write them down and ask anything you want. That will help you feel less anxious I'll bet.

[tkdgirl]

OK so the results are in and it wasn't as bad as I had imagined. Thanks everyone for coming along with me for the ride.

There were a few "interesting" things that happened but I think I will start another post with these.

I decided to go back again next week so I guess I should wait to hold judgment until I go a few more times. I don't know why but I kept unrealistically waiting for the Eureka moment when something magical would happen but it never came, oh well maybe next time. She did come to the conclusion though that were some issues from my childhood that I probably need to deal with, I guess it was nice to be validated.

[karebear1]

That's good to hear Tkdgirl. I'm glad that your first session wasn't traumatic and unpleasant. You must have liked her- enough to go back anyway. Was she pretty easy to talk to?

[tkdgirl]

As weird as it sounds she had a dog, almost exactly like my parents and I think that somehow gave me comfort. There were some awkward moments of silence and I couldn't look her in the eyes. I sorta felt like I was reciting a script of my life. I don't really know how I feel about her or the process yet.