[Daycia]

Hello, thank you for reading.
First off I have posted in other forums based on my needs of depression, anxiety, relationship issues.
I have my first therapy appointment tomorrow. I am getting more scared and flightier by the hour.
What usually happens first session? Am I able to go to and look at different therapists to find one I feel more comfortable with? Any feedback and experiences are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Daycia

[Leah123]

Hi there Daycia and welcome to the Psychotherapy forum. I think that each appointment and each therapist are a little different, but I think it's very common in a first appointment for the therapist to ask you what brings you to therapy and let you tell them a little about yourself.

It's also an opportunity for you to ask any and all questions from what appointment slots they have open to what style of therapy they provide to whether they give hugs (if you care to know, haha) and anything else you think is important. I think it's important to see someone experienced with your issues who plans to be around and practicing for a while. I even like to ask the therapist if they have had therapy as it helps a bit to know they've gone through the process.

I do suggest you try out at least three therapists: you have no obligation to continue meeting with a therapist just because you have an initial appointment with them. You'll be doing intimate work and want to make sure you click with the therapist.

Good luck with your appointment tomorrow!

[guilloche]

Hi Daycia... Leah gave you excellent advice! I just wanted to add it's totally normal to be nervous before a first appointment with a therapist!

My experience has been that 1st appointments are actually somewhat *easier* than future appointments, because the therapist will be trying to understand your history and your problems, so there will be quite a bit of structure and questions. Definitely make sure you take the opportunity to ask any questions you have as well, so you can see how the therapist reacts and get the information you need about their practice.

And, as Leah pointed out - you don't have to go back. After my first visit with my current therapist, he asked if I wanted to schedule another appointment. I told him, "thanks, I'd like to think about it. Can I get back in touch with you?" - and he said, "of course!".

I find that "thinking about it" gives me some space to think about how I felt with the therapist, rather than rushing into the relationship... but if you feel good (understood, heard, like you click and like the therapist can help you) during the first session, by all means go ahead and schedule the next one

Finally - good for you! It's hard getting up the nerve to see a therapist for the first time, so really... good for you for taking this step! Good luck, and I hope you luck out and find a wonderful therapist to help you!

[Daycia]

Thank you Leah and Guilloche. Both of your advice has really eased me going forward with tomorrow. I'm considering setting up a couple remaining appointments with therapists over the next week then respond the follow to the one with a follow up now.
Thank you all.

Daycia

[stopdog]

I suggest interviewing several of them before settling on one (or - as I did - two)