First therapy session

[Detour]

Went to my first therapy session today, I didn't know what to expect but I do feel a bit more relieved talking to someone about things I've went through. I'm only 19 but suffered abuse as a kid and never told anyone about it so It just kind of bottled up and I needed to let it out. I made the choice to go when around 3-4 days ago I felt a huge wave and anxiety and depression that I never felt like this one . That's when I decided to look for help. I plan to visit regularly to see if it really will help me. I wanted to know if anybody else here had a similar experience and if it helped you?

 

[Nem]

I've seen good therapists and shitty ones, right now I have a shitty one. If you feel good after the session then you have a good one
Peace/hugs

 

[*KNAZ*]

Went to my first therapy session today, I didn't know what to expect but I do feel a bit more relieved talking to someone about things I've went through. I'm only 19 but suffered abuse as a kid and never told anyone about it so It just kind of bottled up and I needed to let it out. I made the choice to go when around 3-4 days ago I felt a huge wave and anxiety and depression that I never felt like this one . That's when I decided to look for help. I plan to visit regularly to see if it really will help me. I wanted to know if anybody else here had a similar experience and if it helped you?

I go once a week myself. It helps to have someone to talk to and to feel like the energy is flowing and not getting bottled up. I would see therapist two to three times a week if I had the money. Some people go to 12 step groups for various reasons but get the same effect but that's a whole other story.

 

[Detour]

I've seen good therapists and shitty ones, right now I have a shitty one. If you feel good after the session then you have a good one
Peace/hugs

Thank you for replying. After today's session I didn't feel worse but I didn't feel super happy and back to "normal". The therapist really heard me out and made me feel comfortable when I was talking to her. However It's only been one session, I do look forward to going back.

I go once a week myself. It helps to have someone to talk to and to feel like the energy is flowing and not getting bottled up. I would see therapist two to three times a week if I had the money. Some people go to 12 step groups for various reasons but get the same effect but that's a whole other story.

I agree it does help, right now I only have money to see her once every 2-3 weeks. I'm gonna try to stop spending money on other things I don't need and use it on these sessions so I can hopefully have them at least once every week.

 

[coma-baby]

I've only tried one so far. He seemed to help at first, but after a couple months I started to realize that our sessions weren't helping me and I would leave feeling like it was pointless. Keep in mind that it's okay to shop around for therapists if you have the energy and other resources to do so. It's okay to drop therapists if the vibes aren't right for any reason. I'm currently trying-ish to find a new one. And that's okay. It's all a part of recovery.

 

[Detour]

Thanks for the advice. However I am also worried about what you said about months passing by and not feeling any progress. I feel that would be a big waste of money and would only make me feel worse. I have to keep in mind there could be a chance I have to drop this therapist, but hopefully it works out, I hope it works out for you too!

 

[coma-baby]

Np! I'm not sure about the specifics of your area or your situation in general, but there are sometimes programs in communities that experience a lot of poverty where therapy is free or offered at a severely reduced rate. It's usually based on your household income. For example, my former therapist was only $10 a session thanks to a combination of insurance and my shitty income. The next facility I plan to go to should have free therapy. My SO goes there currently and.... his income is my income unfortunately and his sessions are free of charge.

Now finding the energy and drive to look into these things is the real challenge. Hope things improve for you! It's also super common to not feel any progress within the first couple months.

The straw that really broke the camel's back with my former therapist for me was me asking him questions about manic behaviors and him blaming my problem's on the fucking equinox. I'm not paying for someone to talk to me about astrology when I'm seeking professional help for my mental health. And then he ended that same session with telling me about his own abuse and trauma in detail - which entirely changed the dynamic of the session and wasn't professional of him.

I DEFINITELY suggest taking a quick second to Google "therapy red flags" or something along those lines so you can know in up coming sessions whether or not your therapist is effectively doing their job.

 

[Detour]

We don't have insurance so I pay out of my own pocket which isn't too expensive. I prefer this, since no one else in the family knows I go to therapy. I know one day I'll have the guts to tell them everything but for now I'd like to keep it on the low.
And I'm sorry to hear about your former therapist being unprofessional , I would also hate to go to a therapist just to hear out their own problems and how my chakras aren't aligned right lol.
Thankfully my therapist actually listened to me, and gave me new insights I didn't think about which has really helped.

 

[sleepy dog]

Did the therapist just seem to "agree" with you? Constantly saying "How horrible", "That wasn't fair", etc.? Basically saying "aww" by using different words each time? That is what my current "therapist" does. I have never felt like I have gotten any feedback from her. I tested her by asking if I should do something about a particular situation. Her answer was to ask me if I should. I was having a very hard time with a certain problem. I said I thought I might be homeless because of it because I couldn't take it anymore, as the time expired for the session. She said "You should talk to your case manager about that.", and then said goodbye and closed the door.

 

[coma-baby]

Did the therapist just seem to "agree" with you? Constantly saying "How horrible", "That wasn't fair", etc.? Basically saying "aww" by using different words each time? That is what my current "therapist" does. I have never felt like I have gotten any feedback from her. I tested her by asking if I should do something about a particular situation. Her answer was to ask me if I should. I was having a very hard time with a certain problem. I said I thought I might be homeless because of it because I couldn't take it anymore, as the time expired for the session. She said "You should talk to your case manager about that.", and then said goodbye and closed the door.

My (former) therapist would do that shit. I hated it. I would come in and he would ask how I was doing. I'd answer honestly about how I think I'm close to killing myself. He would pretty much say, "Awww, poor thing." and talk to me like I was a child. If I would ask a specific question, he would dodge it without me realizing. Like I told him how one night I was begging for my friends & SO to hang me, then asked if he thinks I should be hospitalized again. He straight up didn't answer.
Didn't offer any real help. That's why I kicked him and am trying to find a new one kind of.
So Detour, please watch out for this shit. If you're paying for someone to help you and they aren't, find someone new. Keep track of how your sessions are going if you can. Take some notes about what you talked about and how you feel after your sessions. You'll pick up on things faster if they aren't right.

 

[Detour]

Did the therapist just seem to "agree" with you? Constantly saying "How horrible", "That wasn't fair", etc.? Basically saying "aww" by using different words each time? That is what my current "therapist" does. I have never felt like I have gotten any feedback from her. I tested her by asking if I should do something about a particular situation. Her answer was to ask me if I should. I was having a very hard time with a certain problem. I said I thought I might be homeless because of it because I couldn't take it anymore, as the time expired for the session. She said "You should talk to your case manager about that.", and then said goodbye and closed the door.

To some extent she did feel pity for me. But i also did get good feedback from her on what I should do without me having to ask her. It was good to have the feedback instead of me just talking and her just her feeling bad the whole time.

My (former) therapist would do that shit. I hated it. I would come in and he would ask how I was doing. I'd answer honestly about how I think I'm close to killing myself. He would pretty much say, "Awww, poor thing." and talk to me like I was a child. If I would ask a specific question, he would dodge it without me realizing. Like I told him how one night I was begging for my friends & SO to hang me, then asked if he thinks I should be hospitalized again. He straight up didn't answer.
Didn't offer any real help. That's why I kicked him and am trying to find a new one kind of.
So Detour, please watch out for this shit. If you're paying for someone to help you and they aren't, find someone new. Keep track of how your sessions are going if you can. Take some notes about what you talked about and how you feel after your sessions. You'll pick up on things faster if they aren't right.

I have my second session today, I will be looking out for certain red flags. However I do hope today goes well and helps. After today's session it does go well, I'll be making appointments more frequently.

 

[erehbus]

Hey – I am glad you are going to a therapist. My actual therapist is very straightforward – and in the end it always helps me reflect and understand better There is no coddling, but there is validation if she feels it is necessary. The same for my psychiatrist. Some times I feel uncomfortable, angry or bothered but I have never thought of stopping (unless it is because I've suicided). In the end, knowing that there is someone I can tell stuff which they won't judge, tell anyone but at the same time won't coddle me is very refreshing and one of the things I that help me keep going, even with the depression, anxiety and suppressed maniac episodes. One thing I would like to tell you tho is, if you have the opportunity, do not settle for a therapist (or for a psychiatrist) - you got to find someone who really lets you be comfortable

 

[Detour]

Hey – I am glad you are going to a therapist. My actual therapist is very straightforward – and in the end it always helps me reflect and understand better There is no coddling, but there is validation if she feels it is necessary. The same for my psychiatrist. Some times I feel uncomfortable, angry or bothered but I have never thought of stopping (unless it is because I've suicided). In the end, knowing that there is someone I can tell stuff which they won't judge, tell anyone but at the same time won't coddle me is very refreshing and one of the things I that help me keep going, even with the depression, anxiety and suppressed maniac episodes. One thing I would like to tell you tho is, if you have the opportunity, do not settle for a therapist (or for a psychiatrist) - you got to find someone who really lets you be comfortable

How long did it take you to find a therapist who really let you be comfortable ? I'm worried I'll keep searching and searching and won't get any results. I asked on a different thread if I have should go see a doctor for anxiety meds but people have been saying not to go since I'm under 25. I feel like I can't keep going much longer living like this relying on a once a week therapy session to keep me going . I have been researching alternatives like exercising but I have no energy for that. A part of me wants to be on meds and let it kill me and a part of me looks at my family and the love they give me and makes me think twice. I just don't know what to do anymore

 

[erehbus]

How long did it take you to find a therapist who really let you be comfortable ? I'm worried I'll keep searching and searching and won't get any results. I asked on a different thread if I have should go see a doctor for anxiety meds but people have been saying not to go since I'm under 25. I feel like I can't keep going much longer living like this relying on a once a week therapy session to keep me going . I have been researching alternatives like exercising but I have no energy for that. A part of me wants to be on meds and let it kill me and a part of me looks at my family and the love they give me and makes me think twice. I just don't know what to do anymore

Took me around two years of bouncing around - I found a therapist I did not like, who recommended a psychiatrist tha I really liked, and then she started suggesting therapists she thought I would like - which in a way makes me very lucky,

 

[Egddios]

I've seen good therapists and shitty ones, right now I have a shitty one. If you feel good after the session then you have a good one
Peace/hugs

My current therapist also falls on the shitty side of the scale. I legit dread our appointments. She has one of those wooden inspirational signs in her office that says 'Just Breathe'.

 

[WhiteDespair]

I was insanely lucky to find mine. Either that or I subconsciously planned it out. Or both.

I do know that being brutally honest is what helped progress things along.

 

[Sweet emotion]

I'm very proud of you. It takes a lot of guts to repair what has been broken. I hope you thrive and wish you the best of luck.

 

[DetachedDreamer97]

Eh, I go to mine typically every Friday. She's very helpful and I can very much be blunt with her without worrying about getting sectioned. During my last session, I expressed my worries of screwing up and pissing someone off, she pointed out that it's likely due to my past experiences of getting berated and often slapped around.