fresh start

Hello All,
It's been a while. I would like to start therapy again. But I don't want to do a review in my intake appointments about other therapy in the past.

It's a small town. Does it sound reasonable to say, "I've been in therapy before but I think it's really important to tell you that I'd rather not dwell on past therapeutic relationships, especially given the small nature of our community."

Does this sound like i'm being evasive (I guess I am!). I'm really concerned about this, since my past (bad) t was exquisitely interested in my long ago therapeutic relationships (and took up a huge amount of my here and now time with these issues). And I know he is a "big wig" t here in my community.

The truth is, I've become kinda paranoid about the small circle of Ts in this town, and I'd just as soon focus on my issues rather than past therapeutic blunders. I Want To Move On!

Yet I know the question, "have you been in therapy before?" is coming.

I'm thinking of an answer like "yes, I've benefited from therapy at various times in my life, and I'm positive about beginning again. But more recently, there was a T that just didn't work out for me, and I'd rather not dwell on that r/l ...it's pretty fresh in my mind, and I'd like to keep it out of our discussions at least for the time being. Therapy has helped a lot before and I think it can again."

Hmmmm....

Any insight from the hive mind?

thanks,
MCL

welcome back
i like the second version of a possible opening statement better ... the T may be curious but hopefully will respect the boundaries you've put up by using those words and let you get back to discussing past experience more when you are ready and get on with the work you are wanting to do now
a small town would make it harder, so i hope you get this fresh start!

I've restarted many a time. Ime, a new t doesn't particularly want to hear about previous t relationships - I think they'd rather start fresh. Your not being a total therapy virgin is probably helpful so you're not pointing at stuff and saying gee I never saw a nutterbutter before! So glad you're back hope things are well.

The ones I have seen have asked but not pressed.

"I have been in therapy before but I'm looking for a fresh start."

Past T's didn't ask, Current T asked how many I have gone through and why each relationship ended. She also asked how long and how many pdoc's I've been through and how many combinations of meds I have been on. Also why I'm petrified of inpatient and the mental health system in general. Then after that it wasn't mentioned unless I brought it up. I'd say do intake and tell new T that you've had bad experiences with the mental health field and leave it at that.

Just be vague about it. You've seen a few T's in the past and you're moving forward. (I'm on my fifth and I've seen T's in three different states). It shouldn't be of particular interest to a T - it never was to the ones I've seen. They all could have cared less about any previous therapy I had, unless it was some traumatic experience. I think they're more concerned with learning about you and what your issues and concerns are and how they can help you.

Thanks all! Good to see old "faces" especially Dawg and Hankster!

I am so relieved reading these posts. I think that my old, bad, cold T was far too interested in my pat time in therapy, and going into this with a more "vague" answer if the question arises is a good strategy.

And I loved the term "therapy virgin."

Good to be back....whew!

Blessings,
MCL