Bipolar Support Group

Okay, so last week my pdoc said that since I have been in this depression for long long now that he thought that I would benefit from starting to see a therapist as well. He recommended a therapist and I called and made an appointment. Well, the first available was on Oct 17th, so when I went in today and told him he then talked to the receptionist who then told me they would fit me in Wed. So, to try and shorten this long story I have never been to a therapist one on one before. What happens, what do I say or do on my first visit?? I am nervous and frankly uncomfortable with the idea. I don't like being out on the spot and not real comfortable with the whole idea. Any suggestions?

Post edited by: dstar9, at: 09/29/2008 23:18

I always felt that I could talk with a therapist in the same manner as a pdoc. I think a therapist can work on issues that are troubling you in a deeper manner - my pdoc focused a lot on meds and how they were working....maybe others in this group can give you some good suggestions.

basically sit down and shut up. no don't do that!

i've seen a therapist now for about 2 years and it's been very helpful. i think the first thing you should know is that most people are nervous and uncomfortable. baring your problems to a stranger is weird. the therapist knows this and has dealt with it before. also the therapist is not going to judge you but may ask questions eventually that may go to some difficult places.

for your first appointment think about what you want to get out of this process, particularly specific issues. the therapist should give you a basic idea of what they do. but don't be afraid to ask questions about how they work, their availability if in crisis.

above all, the therapist is there to help you. it may feel that you are on the spot at first but it will probably work more like a conversation.

good luck terry

I've got severe trust issues and don't like opening up about my feelings and talk about myself. I've had a few therapists/pdocs where I flat out lied or hid the truth and I was so good at it they were clueless.

Here's the thing... they can't help you get better if you're not honest with them.

In for a penny, in for a pound is what I tell myself. I'm being proactive in my treatment and working towards sorting everything out. I'm doing my best not to hide the truth anymore and I remind myself every time that I go that my docs can't help me if I'm not honest.

Hi, dstar, biggest thing is to remember that they are there to help you, not to judge you, tell you what you have to do, etc.

Being open and honest with them is important, you can't expect your medical doctor to be able to treat you if you don't tell them what is going on, same with a therapist, it was kinda weird for me too, when I first started therapy many years ago, but I just gave them a run down on where I had been, where I was and where I wanted to go, today my therapist helps me with the day to day problems, and helps to guide me in the direction I ought to be heading.

Thanks everyone for your help. It actually went very well and wasn't what I expected. I figured I would end up spending the time listening to him tell me how things would be and what I would be doing there but we actually started right in and he answered those questions as we went along. Since he works with my pdoc he already had my file and the background and I even got a task to work on already to try to get out of this depressive cycle. I may actually be glad I am doing this eventually...

Post edited by: dstar9, at: 10/01/2008 14:36