[p57chr74n]

I scheduled my first appointment for therapy today, I was so nervous that I started to forget why I was there. I'm not sure what it is, but everytime I get closer to doing something good for myself, I end up sabotaging my self in the process. After setting the appointment and being nervous and paranoid all day, I made sure to feel better by scarring myself up. I'm not sure if I should say that to the therapist when I meet him on Wednesday though. I'm so nervous, I haven't been to any kind of doctor for over 10 years. What am I supposed to expect? Do I ask him questions or does he do all the asking? How do I know if he is the right fit or if we "click"?

Hi Welcome to PC. There is some information under the sticky note from Dr John about choosing a therapist and different types of therapy... but I bet lots of people will chime in and say how it went for them...

I found the first session was some paper work... back ground questions and maybe a general discussion on what brought you to therapy...

[RTerroni]

If its an inital screening than expect a lot of paperwork and questions to be asked.

[clairelisbeth]

Going to an initial appointment is definitely scary....and even though I know how hard it can be to do something healthy for yourself, I'm really glad that you made this choice

[WePow]

Welcome to PC! This is the best forum to connect with others going through (or having completed or are contemplating) therapy.
Be sure to read this:
Your First Psychotherapy Session | Psych Central

My personal advice is to see the first session as you interviewing the therapist. After all, you are the one doing the hiring! We are employing them to help us heal and grow.

This T might not be "the one" for you. My own T said he had to interview 20 different Ts before he found his match.

Make a checklist of things you must have from therapy.

Do you NEED to have email contact of some form? ((I did because I have severe PTSD and multiple personality disorder. Some of my alters had to have that extra support when flashbacks would happen in the middle of the night.))

Do you NEED to have a set time every week?
Do you NEED to have access to phone calls for help?
Do you NEED to have payment options for those times when money may be an issue?

Most of all, follow your gut. For that first session don't worry about letting them know all about you... that honor will belong to the T you decide to hire. Just focus on finding out if that T is going to be the right match for you. Trust me on this... you do NOT want to spend a year paying for therapy and spilling your heart to a therapist who is not the right fit. It only leads to heart-break in the end.

Good luck!!!

[p57chr74n]

Ok so I had my first appointment and was as honest as I could be and he was pretty cool and all but he wants me to go to the urgent care (because I dont have a primary care physician) to see about getting meds. He then already wants to see me again on Friday, is this normal? I knew I would have to commit myself because of the type of feelings I have but 2 to 3 sessions a week?

(Keep in mind this is my first time and I'm noy sure how this works and just want to know if this is normal .

And thanks for all the comments they helped a lot.

[HazelGirl]

Are you severely depressed? He may want to watch you more carefully until you're stable on medication if you are.

[tametc]

Originally Posted by p57chr74n

Ok so I had my first appointment and was as honest as I could be and he was pretty cool and all but he wants me to go to the urgent care (because I dont have a primary care physician) to see about getting meds. He then already wants to see me again on Friday, is this normal? I knew I would have to commit myself because of the type of feelings I have but 2 to 3 sessions a week?

(Keep in mind this is my first time and I'm noy sure how this works and just want to know if this is normal .

And thanks for all the comments they helped a lot.

When I first started therapy, I went twice a week, and that actually continued with several therapists over the years. I also had phone contact between sessions if needed, and if really needed, scheduled an extra session the same week. My therapists were wise, and knew what I needed at the time.