Starting Therapy

Beginning psychotherapy can seem daunting, especially if you have never seen a therapist before. It's normal to be a little nervous the first time you do anything. While psychotherapy can look different depending on the clinician and the presenting concerns, only you can decide if the therapist is a good fit for you and your needs.

Therapy tips

• Take your time and practice patience. Your problems were not created in a day, and they will not be solved after one session.

• Stay consistent. Even if you don’t think you have anything to talk about, your therapist can help you tap into what’s going on with you in that moment. Sometimes not having a plan can yield some of the best results.

• Do the work outside of session. Often your therapist will assign you action items to complete outside of the therapy session. This is your opportunity to dig deeper into something you uncovered in your session or to solidify a new skill.

• Be open and honest, your therapist isn’t a mind reader. It’s ok if you want to go slow and build a rapport with your therapist before diving into deeper issues. Also, there is no need to sugar coat things for your therapist; their job is to be non-judgmental.

The therapist will provide direction, empathy, and honest reflection, but you are the leader of your own life. You choose what skills you want to work on and concerns you want to address, and the therapist can help you sort through the messiness, unpack it, and make sense of it. Your therapist does not do all the work for you. Instead, they provide support and guidance while you put in the effort to change whichever aspect of your life it is that you wish to change.