[RobertMatt93]

So I have my first appointment setup this Wednesday to see a therapist, and I have to say that I am extremely nervous about going. I have no idea what I'm going to say or do when I see him, I mean what if he thinks I'm not worth his time or that my problems aren't that big of an issue? I don't even know if I should be 100% truthful at my first session, and even though he is a professional, he still is a stranger to me, and I don't know if I am ready to trust him yet. What if he ask me if I have suicidal thoughts or if I have a plan in place to kill myself during the first day, and if I say "yes, I do" to both of those questions, what do you think will happen? What if he overreacts and calls the police or whoever to drag me off to some psych ward? What If I also told him I have everything required to end my life in a box hidden in my closet, can he legally force me to remove it from my home? I just don't know how to approach this whole situation, and the thing is I don't know anything about my states (Oklahoma) mental health laws, so again I don't know what he can legally do.
This whole thing is entirely new territory for me, well kinda new, I did see a therapist 17 years ago back when I was like 7 years old, but I hardly remember any of that. I don't typically like talking to anyone about my issues unless that person is my mother, at least when I talk to her about these things I know she really cares and wants to help, but with a therapist its hard to know whether or not they actually care about you. I have always had an issue with the thought of paying someone to care about your health and wellbeing, its almost as if their just acting so they can get your money. But if talking with a professional will help get rid of these dark thoughts and this empty feeling that I feel every day, then I am willing to give it a shot I guess.

Anyway if anyone has any advice to give me, that would be very nice.

P.S. Sorry if this isn't the right place to post this, I'm not really sure where this would belong too.

[ScarletPimpernel]

This is the right place to post.

I think you should be honest with your T, but that doesn't mean you have to spill everything the first meeting. If you don't feel comfortable talking about something, say so. As far as SUI thoughts, it's a common symptom. You can tell him. He "might" call someone (i.e. 911) if you have plans and means, but not all Ts will. I have both plans and means, but my T doesn't do anything. But that's because we've developed trust too. So I wouldn't advise talking about your means and plans unless you are unsafe. Least not until you discuss with him his boundaries and how he handles SUI thoughts.

[RainyDay107]

Be honest - just be yourself. You're interviewing him, too. You might have questions about his therapy style, credentials, etc. You don't need to prove yourself.

You'll get better therapy if you don't sugarcoat or minimize issues. That's what it's about....you. Work on your "stuff."

Keep us posted.

[RobertMatt93]

Originally Posted by ScarletPimpernel

This is the right place to post.

I think you should be honest with your T, but that doesn't mean you have to spill everything the first meeting. If you don't feel comfortable talking about something, say so. As far as SUI thoughts, it's a common symptom. You can tell him. He "might" call someone (i.e. 911) if you have plans and means, but not all Ts will. I have both plans and means, but my T doesn't do anything. But that's because we've developed trust too. So I wouldn't advise talking about your means and plans unless you are unsafe. Least not until you discuss with him his boundaries and how he handles SUI thoughts.

That's the problem though, I don't want him to call anyone if I tell him about my plans and means, the only way I know that I would 100% go through with my plan is if something ever bad happend to my mom, but other than that I don't think I would follow through. I think I might just take your advice and try to avoided that subject as much as possible, or at lest untill I know I can trust my T enough to talk about it. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and thanks for the advice as well.

I think you are wise to be tentative, especially before you are sure a relationship will be formed between the two of you. I think it would be good to tell him about your concerns and also to ask in detail how he responds to sui issues.
As another poster said, you are interviewing him and working out whether he is right for you. It's important you have clarity about these things. It's part of making a contract with your therapist.

[Out There]

Hello again Robert - I'm glad you took the next step to approach a therapist and hope it goes well for you.

[RainyDay107]

Originally Posted by RobertMatt93

That's the problem though, I don't want him to call anyone if I tell him about my plans and means, the only way I know that I would 100% go through with my plan is if something ever bad happend to my mom, but other than that I don't think I would follow through. I think I might just take your advice and try to avoided that subject as much as possible, or at lest untill I know I can trust my T enough to talk about it. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and thanks for the advice as well.

I understand. Please be safe.