First Therapy Session Wednesday

[sadanddown]

So I have my first full on therapy session set for wednesday. For some of you that have or are going to therapy already, can anyone tell me what to expect to help relieve some of the anxiety that I have about going? I'm pretty nervous/scared about it. I am also a little bit relieved because I think this is something that should help me, but also scared that it won't. Anyways, any thoughts on first time experiences? What I should expect, or should I just try to go in there not having any expectations and try not to think about it (even though I know I will)

Thank you,

Jon

 

[yesac76]

My first time was, before hand, terrifying. But, after I got in the room my T put me at ease. I believe it is normal to be nervous. My best advise is to keep telling yourself why you are there. This should keep your mind on your healing, not on the fear of talking to a new therapist.

Congrats on seeing a therapist. I know how scary it seems, but after some time you will look forward to your sessions. Good luck, and never forget you are stronger than you think!

Casey

 

[Michael]

As a newbie in therapy, I can tell you that I felt very relieved at being able to speak out about my SA to someone. I did have my wife at my side which helped me open up. We were originally scheduled for marriage counseling, but I knew what I had to come out with.

It has been enlightening and helpful, without fear of being judged.

Good luck and be brave!

 

[Bobby]

I've been in therapy for four years now. In fact, I didn't know about my SA until I'd been in therapy awhile for depression. Everyone is different. My advice is to try to relax. The tough part is that you will be meeting a new person. If you're like me, that's not an easy thing. You're first session will be mostly getting to know one another and your therapist's trying to get a handle on who you are and how to proceed. You'll be doing the same thing. You'll be trying to analyze your therapist as your therapist is trying to analyze you. After all, you'll be sharing your innermost self with this person. You may not want to do that during the first session. It may be too big a risk for you.
Don't expect too much. You won't walk out a new man. You may walk out, however, feeling a great deal of hope that you have found someone who can help you through this difficult process of healing. That in itself is worth giving therapy a try. The loneliness for me is the worst part.
Don't give up on the first try. It may not be a wonderful experience. You're nervous (translate, scared to death). Your perceptions may be colored by that. At least go back for a second session, that is, unless it was so very awful that you know in your heart that it will never work. I had one of those. I had to get out of there. The guy was awful. It happens, but not often.
The second session you will be able to make a better judgment. You will be more relaxed and your therapist will know who you are before you walk through the door. You can pick up where you left off. You'll be able to tell if you feel that you can relax and trust this person and let it all out. That's what you have to do to heal, and you have to feel very safe to do that.
Not all therapists are a good fit. If after a while you feel that your therapy is going nowhere, don't be afraid to change therapists. You'll find one who is just right for you. They're out there and you may just hit it on the first try. Many people do.
Above all, remember that therapy is a positive step. I don't know that it is an absolutely necessary step and I know that there are guys out there who are healing without it, but it is so very nice to know that you have a place each week (or how often you go) that you can go and talk about the pain and what happened to you and how you are coping with all of that and know that someone will listen, will not judge, will not feel threatened by what is happening to you, and has the expertise to lead you through the labyrinth of healing.
We're all different, but what I have appreciated most about therapy is that I can just hurt openly without trying to cover it up or hold back the emotion or stifling the anger or being the child or asking the questions...and eventually I was even able to cry.
I'm just a regular old guy, so take what I say with a grain of salt...maybe a lot of grains of salt...but I'm basically just relating what my experience has been. Good luck.