First appointment w/ Mr.Cooper

[CalicoPurpl90]

I had my first regular appointment with my new therapist Mr.Cooper. Last week was more of a "getting to know you" session. I felt like the session went alright, I just feel like I struggle with opening up with my therapist sometimes. I have a lot of issues with anxiety I want to address with a therapist and I certainly don't want my therapist to think I'm just wanting to chat with someone for 45 minutes. It was just my first appointment, so I am certainly not going to be harsh with myself about this. Does anyone else struggle with this? What do you find that helps?

[HJam5880]

I definitely struggle with this. I’ve been in therapy for over a year now, and once before for about a year and a half. Definitely keep in mind that it was only your first session, but if you continue to struggle with this. It might be easier to tell your therapist, “I really feel like this isn’t going anywhere and I’m not accomplishing anything. I want to be honest and open with you but it’s hard for me. Are there questions that you can ask me to help me along when I get off track?” Instead of just going in there and laying it all out in the open for him. I have also noticed that it helps if I make a list (try to keep it down to 5 items or less) of things I want to accomplish, or things to talk about in each session, and I take the list with me to help keep me focused. I hope this makes sense, and I hope it helps! Please let me know if I can help in any way!

[CalicoPurpl90 in reply to HJam5880]

Thanks HJam5880. I might consider making a list beforehand. Right now my appointments have been over the phone, what they call telehealth appointments. In some ways I feel that simply adds to my anxiety. Even when I was anticipating his call I found myself panicking inside and I had to take a few deep breaths to calm down before being called at the time of the appointment. Unlike the previous therapist I was trying to see, I will be able to have weekly appointments with Mr.Cooper which I feel is ideal. The inconsistency (appointments once every few weeks) I had with my previous therapist is part of why I felt I wasn't really accomplishing anything with my prior therapist. I certainly wasn't getting the kind of feedback I wanted either. Again, it was only my first appointment, but he seems pretty nice and I'm hoping I will be able to work with Mr.Cooper.

[HJam5880 in reply to CalicoPurpl90]

I hope you can work with him, and I hope he is the right fit for you. I too have been doing my appts over the phone, and that adds to my anxiety as well, but hopefully everything will be back to normal soon. I only have appts once a month, and I would actually like mine to be closer together, but I don’t really have the time to go every week. Great job on using deep breathing to ease the anxiety!

[blackcat64013]

After working with 4 different therapists I have a few client conclusions to share. These are my ideas only.

The first session always seems like a meet and greet with history taking on the side.

The next session should be about where to from here for you and from him/her. Your therapist will thinking about this before seeing you. You can put forward your own goals from therapy.

From here in the work starts for the team, you & the therapist.

I like to think a bit about my last session, to see if there is more to do on the subject in the next one.

I really can't think too well straight away after the session. I am a note maker so I usually have a few points about issues and incidents and my feelings for the next session. My therapist is fine with this. He gets a copy too. Occasionally, I have just not much for him and he takes the lead for the time together.

Therapy can be difficult, especially when depression and anxiety levels are 7 or more out of 10. At 9 its all I can do to just turn up. At 10 forget it!

I find completing set homework seriously hard work at the best of times so I have to schedule my week for it, just like being in school.

I don't profess expert knowledge but you might relate to some of this and find it useful in the fight against our black dogs.

[Ilovepugs123]

It's okay to feel what you are feeling, a lot of people go through that, I am in therapy too and my therapist tells me how there are people who have a hard time opening up and that's okay that is why they are in therapy to try to open up more and learn new things. It was just your first session, it does get better if you like your therapist isn't helping much you can always ask for another therapist. I hope the best for you and if you need someone to talk too feel free to message me.