For about a year now I have been seeing a therapist from counseling and psychological services. Over the past year, I have reflected on my growth from my first session until now. I have seen a significant change in myself since seeing my therapist. Here are a few tips for someone who is considering going to therapy.
Find the right therapist
Figuring out who exactly to go to can be a bit difficult. Some people have racial, age and gender preferences. If you feel more comfortable talking to someone who is of a certain background, shop around. Research your therapist before seeing them. You may have to see more than one therapist find the perfect match. Don’t feel bad for leaving a therapist that you don’t see as your fit. The experience is for you and your benefit, so making sure you are comfortable with your therapist is important.
Be on time
Show up to your first session (and any session that follows) on time. You must remember, your therapist is a professional and their time is important. But so is yours. To get the most out of your session you want the entire time for you and your therapist. You should take therapy seriously because what you put into it is what you will get out of it. Anytime I was running late I emailed her and let her know in consideration of her time. Be committed.
Put in effort
Fully engage in the conversation with your therapist. Again, the amount of effort you put towards each session will directly affect how much you gain from therapy. It isn’t as intimidating your first go around if you simply have a conversation with your therapist. Ask them questions, give your opinion and tell them things they may not have even directly asked you about.
There were times when I was going through something new that my therapist had no knowledge of. At the beginning of the session when she would ask me “What do you want to focus on?” I laid everything on her. Be persistent.
Be open
Don’t go in with any preconceived notions. If you have negative expectations, you will probably have a negative experience. For a therapist to help you and effectively do their job, you as their client have to cooperate. Allow them to do their job and allow yourself to receive help. It may seem a little awkward at first, telling a stranger all your problems, but you’ll warm up to it eventually.
It was difficult for me at first as well. Initially, I went because I was curious. During my first session, I was quite nervous and didn’t know what to expect, but because my therapist made me feel comfortable, I was able to open up to her. I found myself wet-eyed and sniffling about 20 minutes into my session. I felt relieved yet also confused as to how vulnerable I was with her so quickly. Be willing.
