Well, the last appointment that I scheduled with Pdoc we started talking. She asked me what I would like to talk about. I drew a complete blank!Where do you start? Whats a good starting point? She said that this time was completely for me, and I could talk about anything I wanted to. It was a little scary though, sort of like when you need to write something and you have a blank page in front of you.

On the upside, I am journalling EVERY day. I am going to bring in my journal for her to read. It is easier for me to share this way(writing, email, posting) than speaking. I have a hard time if someone is in person talking about it so We are starting from the writing.

But where does one start, or in this case, re-start? I havent been in therapy since age 14 and Im 24 now. Thats ten years ago and I barely remember it.

Ideas all?

Exactly what you are doing. When ever I start with a new therapist I bring in things with me - my journal, art work, and any other therapy projects that I am working on. not only does this give a starting point but it also helps the new therapist understand the whats hows and so on that work best for me.

Each time I get a new therapist I also do the courage to heal workbook because not only does it show me how far I have come from the last time that I did it but also shows the therapist areas that I am doing ok on and where I may need to work on still.

I also sit down before meeting my new therapist and answer the basic questions that almost always gets asked at the first few sessions - name address, why do I think I need to be in therapy, what are my problems and ideas for how to work on those problems with a therapist and on my own. and I take that paper in with me and give it to the therapist who usually reads it and lets me know what on my self assigned activities t hey can and cant help me with and usually have more ideas themselves on what we can do to help solve my problems.

Hang in there

[January]

Hi Rainbowz,

What is the thing that is most important to you right now? Start there.

Hugs,

Jan

myself,

very good advice. I think my journal will give her some insight to be able to help me make that descision.

January,

The anxiety is the biggest issue right now and the mood swings, and just coping with the fact that I have a lifelong illness.

Thank you both for your replies.
Oh! And myself, i too do the courage to heal books, though pdoc says she wants to wait until meds stabilize me before jumping into them.

Thank you and meds stabilizing before workbook - great idea those books can get the brain thinking and shaken up. hang in there

What are the "courage to heal" books? I'm having a hard time figuring out what to talk about, too. I'm a cliche--low self-esteem, bad childhood, destructive behaviors, anxiety, etc. I'm even bored with myself & my symptoms--Suzy

[onlymedid]

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Suzy5654 said:
What are the "courage to heal" books? I'm having a hard time figuring out what to talk about, too. I'm a cliche--low self-esteem, bad childhood, destructive behaviors, anxiety, etc. I'm even bored with myself & my symptoms--Suzy

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I too have similar issues as you.
I ordered from Amazon.com. I have found the book to be extremely helpful. I haven't done the workbook as I plan on reading the book again and doing the workbook at the same time.
The Courage to Heal book is "a guide for women survivors of child sexual abuse".It talks about different ways of healing and the steps we go through to accomplish that.
There are some writing excercises you can do at the end of the chapters so you don't really need the workbook, but it doesn help.

Hi Rainbowzz,

Getting started is hard for me too. I like that she told you that the time is completely for you and you could talk about anything you want. That is a warm and open invitation and shows she is interested in anything and everything you have to say.

Here is a very informative site I found today while cruising around the web: www.guidetopsychology.com. In the questions/answers pages he addresses getting started as well as many other therapy issues. Many of my own questions were addressed there.

The point he makes several times that I must remember is that whatever a person tries to avoid talking about it the very thing that needs to be talked about. Interesting!

ECHOES