[20oney]

So I've been sort of silently struggling for a few months now.. The last couple of weeks have been really up and down..
I just feel crap, I'm over it. I want it to go away..
Maybe, but probably not, I will try therapy.. I don't think I could do it though.. It's so daunting the thought of it all..

Anyway. My question is, what's the first session like? Does it get easier once you're in there?

What is it like? I can't ever imagine being open to someone.. Does it really feel good?

[kaliope]

gosh it is so different for everybody. the first session is typically the same. the therapist just wants to get to know you, why you are coming to therapy, what your goals are-what you hope to acheive. if you write everything down it will make it easier so you dont forget anything. what are all the things on your mind that have been bothering you? do you have any symptoms? anxiety? depression? panic attack? self esteem issues? trauma? relationship? they may even have a list of questions of their own asking these things, get a history, your family, education, job, interests and such.

then you decide how often you want to go. most start with weekly sessions until they get to know you better and feel every other week is sufficient.

it does make me feel better to go to therapy. i think most people would agree with that. it helps give me a new perspective on things so i dont look at them so catastrophically.

one recommendation i have, is if you have a certain issue that is troubling you, like i have a trauma history and severe anxiety, is to interview your therapists and choose one that SPECIALIZES in what you are looking for help with. most therapists are trained in a general way for everything, like doctors are, but if you need intense help, you want someone who really knows what they are doing in that area. i spent several years with a doctor who really didnt know how to treat my anxiety and avoided my trauma and it only got worse. he was good and helped me in many ways, but in the long run, he wasnt the best phd for me.

good luck

[Raging Quiet]

It's a journey that you can't predict, but good therapy is healing and can be life changing.

Good luck.

[stopdog]

The first appointment consisted of the woman asking me why I was there. For me, it is not easier to go each week although I have found a way to keep from visibly shaking each week. I do not find it feels good or better at all.

I've got nothing to add, other than just listen to your gut if this is someone you feel comfortable with. Beyond that, there is no formula. It has taken me most of my adult life to figure out how to make therapy work for myself.

[Chummy]

About the first session, it's like kaliope said.

If it gets easier after the first session really depends on you and your therapist. With the T I have now, it got easier. She's really nice and good. But I have had T with whom I never really got on. With those I never really opened up. But I was 16 when I started therapy and I had social anxiety, so I had a really hard time trusting people and talking to people. And none of the T's really tried to get my trust. Most just didn't asked the right questions and they just ''let me'' because I was so easy and quiet.
But my current T she just seemed to understand me, and know about anxiety, how it worked in my mind. And I could open up to her. It does feel kind of good to talk about things that I can't talk to other people about.