THUNAIYou are meeting the therapist or counsellor for the first time. What can you expect?
For a person who has not interacted with a mental health practitioner or counsellor, the idea of the first interaction could be daunting.
Will the therapist ask too many questions?
Will I be asked to talk about my fears?
How do I begin?
Visiting a mental health practitioner for the first time is almost like seeing a general physician for an ailment. Only here the medicine is therapy and not medication. After some initial paperwork-- mentioning medical history, current medications, Insurance information (if any), therapist-patient service agreement, and probably a questionnaire mentioning your symptoms. If you find it difficult to answer any question, a good idea would be to wait until you meet your therapist in person.
One of the first things a therapist would want to know, ‘How or what can they do for you, or help you with?’ This is for the therapist to get a fair understanding of where you are mentally and emotionally; and also, a gentle way to break the ice as to what is your expectation of this interaction.
Remember, it is okay if you do not feel the need to share immediately. You don’t have to leap into your deepest darkest secrets immediately—feel free to talk through your favorite book or the movie you saw last week as a way to get a sense of how the two of you will communicate with one another. Take your time until you are comfortable and feel assured. While therapists are trained to respect your confidentiality and be non-judgemental, it does take some time for us to develop trust. This trust is essential for the therapeutic nature of the sessions.
This would also be a good time for you to gauge the ambiance. Make sure you feel at ease and there are no distractions. For example, many times patients do not like to face a clock or a picture or anything that does not resonate with their comfort. At such times, it is best to let your therapist know about it. Remember, the therapist would appreciate it if you help them in helping you.
It is a good idea to put your gadgets (if you are carrying them) in silent or off. This is your time with your therapist.
Once you feel ready to start and interact, let the therapist help you into unfolding yourself.
Remember, therapy is a two-way process and a team work. Allow the therapist to guide you into unraveling solutions / possibilities. Here are some things you can do to make your first session as successful as possible.
Be open:Therapists are trained to ask the right questions, but they’re not mind readers. The therapist can do his job more effectively if you answer the questions openly and honestly.
Be prepared: Before you get to the session, know how to describe “what’s wrong,” and to describe your feelings about your problem. One way to prepare is to write down the reasons you’re seeking help. Make a list and then read it out loud. Hearing yourself say it a few times will help you describe things more clearly to the therapist.
Ask questions: The more you understand the counseling experience or how counseling works, the more comfortable you’ll be. Ask questions about the therapy process, and ask the therapist to repeat anything you don’t understand.
Be open and honest about your feelings: A lot will be going through your head in this first session. Listen to your own reactions and feelings, and share them with the therapist. You’ll both learn from these insights.
After the first session:
Have realistic expectations from the session. The therapist is not a magician, it is a process that takes time and a lot depends on your level of acknowledgement and acceptance.
In between sessions, the therapist may give you some homework before the next session. This could be anything from journaling to reflecting or reading or maybe even praying to align with your spirituality. Look at it as a chance to work on yourself.
A lot depends on the collaboration and interaction between the therapist and patient. The therapist will play the role of an active listener and ask you the right questions. However, instead of telling you a quick fix, therapists work as guides to your thought processes. They help you explore various possible solutions or changes that could either shift perspective, or be a subtle change for the better.
There will be breakthrough moments and probable breakdowns. Embrace it, this is the process to heal yourself. What you learn in these therapeutic sessions, if vested active interest upon, could lead you to applying it in your everyday life. Remember, the idea of seeking therapeutic help is not about scoring the highest, it is about feeling healthier and happier.
You can find more information about therapy on thunai.org, where you can learn more about the different types of therapies, as well as other things you should know before reaching out to a counsellor or therapist.