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Hi girls,
I have got my first therapy appointment tomorrow.
I feel a little agitated…I already cancelled four appointments over the past six months…each and every time I had a panic attack before.
I started taking medicine because my anxiety got out of hand again. I am trying plant based one this time, not hormonal.
This time I told myself that I will go to draw, not talk. I am not scared to draw.
I now don’t even remember why I made the appointment. I don’t know what to say. What if she doesn’t understand me?How is your experience with therapy?
What happens in the first session? -
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There will be boundary setting according t (o the ethical framework (google BACP)
this is about confidentiality, but also safeguarding and risk assessment. (they will (or should) say if they are any good – that what is said in the room stays in the room unless the therapist is under the impression that you are at risk to yourself or others. They should also tell you they have personal supervision.Be aware that anything you disclose may be discussed with their supervisor. You don’t have to disclose anything to start with, or indeed ever, if you don’t want to.
It is perfectly acceptable to see if you like the therapist and trust them, although you will only build a relationship over several sessions.
If drawing is helpful you can say that, take your own pens although good therapists can offer these.
Be aware of the theory underpinning the therapy. You can ask where the therapist trained (and discuss it on here if you need to) . You can ask which therapeutic directions they are using (and google it)…some are suitable for trauma recovery others not.
IF it is NHS you will have been assessed in a particular way. Some people think NHS approaches are not helpful for trauma recovery.
Be aware of how many sessions are on offer. With the NHS it might be six or eight or twelve.
If you don’t like the therapist, or don’t get on – you can cancel or change without explanation but may not be put back on the waiting list if it is NHS>
My advice is take a notebook with you in case the therapist gives you any ideas or websites that might be useful.
Hope this helps
ftc
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Hey HopeLifeJoy, could not for the life of me talk about my trauma before my therapy. I would freeze up, so I did therapy where I didn’t have to talk. These therapies were specifically designed for trauma treatment: Somatic Experiencing and EMDR. Choosing treatments tailored for healing trauma meant that both of my therapists had had experience with traumatic things so they weren’t judgemental. If I had to have gone to a regular therapist, I would have picked someone trained and experienced in abuse – because at the end of the day therapists are still regular people and most regular people can be a bit ignorant about abuse.
I always feel better after therapy sessions, a good therapist makes all the difference – hope you find that too.
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Thousand thanks, I am so grateful for all your support, it helped me so much. I kept calm and went.
5 min into the session, after we did the administrative bit and she answered that she does have experience with domestic abuse, I said right, that’s plenty enough for the first session and stood up wanting to leave her office.
She asked me if I would like to continue the session walking in the park, I don’t have to talk about things I don’t want to.
I was surprised about the suggestion, relaxed and agreed.
The session went well, outside, when I was tired, we sat down on a bench, when I got nervous, we stood up and started walking.
She asked questions but was never intrusive, she listened, she didn’t interrupt me, she showed me respect.
She diagnosed me with depression. She suggested taking anti-depressant.
She asked me to think about whetter I wish to do a therapy with her and to sleep one night over it before deciding.
I felt good after the session…neutral and good. Not angry, not anxious, exhausted yes but in a good way. Someone is there holding my hand for a while. I am allowed to ask for help and get it. I think a new chapter is possibly opening up. -
It’s lovely to read this. Sounds as though your therapist knows just what they are doing. I’m so glad you came out of it feeling hopeful. Well done you for turning up and for seeing it through. It’s a very brave thing for you to do. Wishing you well.
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