Tomorrow Is My First Therapy Appointment

[MoonBat]

I'm a little excited to start, but today has been horrible. I'm fighting off a will to self harm. I'll make it through today but it's terribly hard. I hope tomorrow will be better. Is there anything I should ask my therapist about for a first appointment? I'd like to talk about suicidal ideation, but I am terrified of a psych ward, which I've heard therapists default to the first time they encounter "scary topics" like suicide.

 

[waistcoat]

hey! so, this is a big thing, well done! from my experience, a good therapist won't do that, you should ask them what their policy is first, usually they have a policy of "as long as you aren't an imminent threat to yourself or others it stays between us".

that being said~

your first few therapy sessions are near guaranteed to make you feel worse, you need to stick at it long term to get any kind of benefit. you will be worse off after your first session, you need to have multiple.

for me, when i had my first therapy sessions, i would be unable to process anything, speak, move, etc, for 2-3 hours, sometimes the rest of the day afterwards, and usually felt like shit for a day or so after too, but now i take a 15m breather after each session and i'm able to get on with my day. it takes time, therapy is a journey andthere is going to be ups and downs - you need to be prepared for those downs, they are going to hit you hard.

 

[grapevoid]

I'm a little excited to start, but today has been horrible. I'm fighting off a will to self harm. I'll make it through today but it's terribly hard. I hope tomorrow will be better. Is there anything I should ask my therapist about for a first appointment? I'd like to talk about suicidal ideation, but I am terrified of a psych ward, which I've heard therapists default to the first time they encounter "scary topics" like suicide.

For me the first few appts were really just exploratory- the therapist getting to know me and me getting to know them.

You shouldn't be afraid to discuss your suicidal ideation, just be careful how you approach it. What will definitely get you committed is having a plan that includes a date. You shouldn't get committed for having thoughts of suicide as long as you are not actively planning to carry it out.

I have completely broke down to my therapist before, cried, told her I don't want to get stuck in the hospital and I'm not going to go out and kill myself right now but honestly I just want to die and I can't stop feeling this way and blah blah blah in a completely hysterical melt down style interaction and still did not get committed. lol.

 

[Redacted24]

Totally agree - the first sessions are really to get to know each other. Treat it as if you're trying to decide if you want them in your life! If you don't like their vibe, then see if another provider is available. But give them a few sessions before deciding.

It's okay to let them know what's happening. And they should tell you straight up what their mandatory reporting requirements are, if they don't then you could ask them how they handle the things you talk about, and under what circumstances they would share information about you and your discussions, and with who?

But yes they are there for you, to listen to what's on your mind without judging, and to help you find the things you can do to get through them.
Hope it goes well!

 

[MoonBat]

Thanks everyone, it went well. Really comforting to hear everyone's thoughts and experiences :)

 

[waistcoat]

Thanks everyone, it went well. Really comforting to hear everyone's thoughts and experiences :)

i'm super glad it went well!!