[gostryter]

i'm scared! sooooooo scared!!!!!!!!

i don't know what to expect. i have NO idea what's going to happen.

i didn't know what place to post in this morning....i'm depressed....my anxiety is through the roof....and i'm trying not to SI....

2PM

skipped work today because i'm so stressed

i'm opening myself up to someone....oh, *****!!!!!

yep, i'm scared

[Gracey]

R E L A X

The first session is "information gathering" ususally. I don't see any therapist worth their salt just "diving in" blind. You'll get asked a lot of questions about you mental health history, your physical history, whether you're married, if you have children, your work situation, etc. All of this is necessary for Axis I, II, and III diagnoses. Don't let it overwhelm you.

Remember too, that YOU are allowed to ask questions. Think of this as an interview process. You are deciding whether you want to hire this person to serve you. . .therapy is a service industry. . .similar to waitressing and cooking believe it or not. You are deciding whether you want what is on the menu, how you want it prepared, and who gets to serve it up to you. Make a list of questions to take with you and don't be afraid to ask.

Examples:
How long have you been practicing? How much experience do you have dealing with "x, y or z" syndromes/disorders. What specific forms of therapy do you engage in? Cognitive? CBT? Regressive? Etc. How do you feel about self injury? What is your view about it?

Write down what is important for YOU to know the answers to. Don't ask questions like, "How quickly can you fix me" or "How do I stop SI'ing" because those are questions that actually require therapy, you know?

If you think of it as an interview, you'll come up with some good ones. Don't be afraid to ask. . .good therapists EXPECT their clients (NOT patients) to be proactive in their care.

[FindPeace]

Gostryter breathe I'm here to listen to how it went I'll be thinking of you and I know all to well those feelings of oh %#@&#! opening up to someone....FP

[gostryter]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Gracey said:
You'll get asked a lot of questions ....

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

that's what scares me!!!!

i'm not worried about actual therapy - not at this point. the person i'm going to isn't who i'd eventually be going to....it's through an Employee Assistance Program - they give six free session and then if you need more they work with your insurance and get you set up for actualy therapy

i'm in a situation at work right now that i can't handle anymore. that situation has triggered all sorts of issues. i know i have to talk to someone...but i'm afraid i'm being fired next week or at least put on probation - so i may be losing my benefits and won't be able to go into longer term therapy.....so all this anxiety over this visit will be for nothing.........

& if i do lose my job, then i'll really be in trouble.........

it's this now or never time crunch that's killing me. i already made one appt through the Assistance Program and chickened out after i got to the T's office!!! but I can't do it again....i can't wait a few weeks or months....

But you're right Gracey!!!! i do need to relax....i mean it's not like if i say the wrong thing i'll be locked in closet or something

i'm sorry for being such a cry baby! i know i'm being difficult and overly dramatic - which is usually so not how i am!!!!!!!

[gostryter]

thanks FindPeace!!!!

[Gracey]

EAP's are wonderful programs. Further, they are required by law to facilitate your therapy and treat you with the SAME confidentiality that a regular therapist would give you. USE the program. . .it's priceless.

Even if your job ends, there is always local community mental health places. I know a lot of people seem to have a unique hatred for those places, but many of us in the industry did our internships at just such places. There are a lot of great counselors and p-docs in those places. It isn't like the health department where you see someone different each time.

Take advantage of what you can for now. Work hard. Questions are normal. . .unless of course you're going to walk in there and tell them what's wrong with you?

Just breathe. Don't focus on 2pm. It's 9:52 right now. . .focus on making it to 10:52, and then 11:52 and so on. At 1pm, take a good book, and go have lunch close to the office. Get a kids meal if you don't think you'll eat much. Take your list with you.

Let us know how you're doing. I'm here all day.

[gostryter]

Thanks Gracey!

what you said about community health places is reassuring - i'm scared of being left out in the cold after i open a can of worms - so to speak!

i've decided to run a quick errand to get my mind off of everything!! i'm sure i'll be back soon though

Thank you for being here for me when i know you are stressed too!!!! (((((((((((((Gracey)))))))))))))))

[purplemoon]

Gracey wishing you a excellent visit. It will go great.