Visiting the therapist for the first time and discussing yourself with a stranger is a bit scary. Most of the time, people hesitate because they think he will judge or grade you like others. On the first visit, most people do not know what to talk about in therapy with that stranger sitting in front.
Before having a first visit with your therapist, you need to know that he is not here to judge you. He is here to listen to you, support you and help you.
Remember, therapy is a safe and confidential space where you can talk about anything on your mind. Your therapist will work with you to identify your specific needs and goals, and together you can develop a plan for achieving them.
If you have taken your appointment but are hesitating to open up, this article is for you. We will give you a few tips following them, and you will end up with a productive session.
Tips on what to talk about in therapy
Present feeling
It is best to start with your current situation. If you are feeling uncomfortable, open up. It is ok if you have had a fight with your friend or colleague, you are angry, or there is no need to hide it. Talking about the present feeling gives you the courage to talk about the depression you are facing this week, and gradually you will move on.
While talking about the current issue, move toward the problem you are struggling with. For instance, you have lost your job or are currently having a divorce. A therapist will help you cope with the stresses and also support you.
Behavior and pattern
It is good to tell the therapist about your day-to-day or recurrent pattern or behavior. Your repeated patterns might be due to some reason or connected to your childhood memories. Also, talk about your generational pattern, like if there are cases of suicide, addiction, or relationship issues in the past generation.
If you have difficulty remembering the issues, keep a journal during the sessions and note all the behavior or mood changes that you consider might be the possible reasons.
Relationship issues
A healthy relationship has a positive impact on your life. Happy relations with your friend or family mean a healthy mind. Talking about your relationship with your therapist is very crucial for any therapeutic session.
Relationships can be a source of stress and anxiety. Discussing your relationships with your therapist can help you improve communication, set boundaries, and resolve conflicts.
If you have some conflict with your loved one about a cause, you have to tell your therapist. They will help you understand the reason behind it and support you in bringing a helpful change.
Depression and anxiety
It is normal to get anxious once in a blue moon, but if you feel nervous about small issues, then you must tell your therapist. They help you to overcome severe anxiety or anxiety disorder.
If it is hard falling asleep due to repeated thoughts, or you are scared of upcoming events in life, ask your therapist. Repeated perception of something called rumination. Tell the therapist about repeated thoughts to overcome your depression and anxiety from the particular thought.
Traumatic event
Trauma can cause feelings of anxiety, depression, guilt, shame, anger, and a range of other emotions, so it is necessary to tell the therapist about post-trauma.
A therapist can help a person work through any negative beliefs they may have about themselves or the world that may have developed as a result of the trauma.
It is important to note that sharing details of the traumatic event is not always necessary for therapy to be effective. Therapists can use different techniques and models to help a person heal from trauma, even if they choose not to share all the details. However, the therapist needs to have an understanding of the event and its impact to tailor treatment according to the individual's needs.
Life goals
Most of the time, people get depressed because he is trying to achieve something but are unable to do it. You have to tell your therapist what your life goal is. The therapist helps you identify your real goal and create plans with you to accomplish it. Talking about the life goal helps therapists tailor your treatment plan to your specific needs.
Mood shift
If you have sudden mood swings [mfn]https://centerstone.org/our-resources/health-wellness/what-are-mood-swings-and-how-to-manage-them/[/mfn]. If you feel down and do not want to get out of bed or quickly have bursts of energy, these are the signs of bipolar disorder or mood disorder. Tell your therapist about this mood shift to help get out of it.
The bottom line
Remember, therapy is a safe and confidential space where you can talk about anything on your mind.
Your therapist is there to support you and help you achieve your goals, so don't hesitate to bring up any concerns or questions you have in mind.