First time therapy session - what to expect/prepare for?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 150
First time therapy session - what to expect/prepare for?
Hi all,
Well, I'm 38 days sober (yay!) and I'm starting to see a therapist today (per a recommendation from my doctor and the IOP program I was in).
Anyone have any advice? Should I prepare for anything or does she just guide the conversation? Of course, I'm having a "good" day today so don't even think I need therapy! Haha, but, 10 years of daily vodka drinking might come to a different conclusion.
ANyway, just wondering what to expect or if you have any suggestions from your own personal experience?
Well, I'm 38 days sober (yay!) and I'm starting to see a therapist today (per a recommendation from my doctor and the IOP program I was in).
Anyone have any advice? Should I prepare for anything or does she just guide the conversation? Of course, I'm having a "good" day today so don't even think I need therapy! Haha, but, 10 years of daily vodka drinking might come to a different conclusion.
ANyway, just wondering what to expect or if you have any suggestions from your own personal experience?
Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,635
It has been different for me with each therapist.
Sometimes they have you fill out a questionaire and then they read it and start the discussion based on what you have written.
Or I have also just started out with what has been bothering me the most.
Good for you for going to therapy!
Sometimes they have you fill out a questionaire and then they read it and start the discussion based on what you have written.
Or I have also just started out with what has been bothering me the most.
Good for you for going to therapy!
Member of SMART Recovery
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,722
Experiences vary, so just show up and go with the flow.
Two bits of advice though:
1. You have to trust your therapist. If you don't, get another one.
2. You must be 100% honest with your therapist. So once you have one that you trust, don't hold anything back. That is what you are paying her/him for!
Two bits of advice though:
1. You have to trust your therapist. If you don't, get another one.
2. You must be 100% honest with your therapist. So once you have one that you trust, don't hold anything back. That is what you are paying her/him for!
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 200
Congrats on your sober time! I've attended therapy sparatically throughout the years, never really like it till I got sober! lol what a concept. I now see an addiction counseler and I enjoy it quite a bit. But it always does seem to come on the days where I am feeling great haha. Although, all the advice I have is go in there with an open mind and a heart. OTT up there has a great point you have to trust them 100 percent. GOOD LUCK and again congrats on your sober time 
A Day at a Time
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Grand Rapids MI
Posts: 6,435
Guy goes to a therapist office and tells the therapist, "I think I am a dog what can you do for me?"
Therapist says, "Well have a seat and we will talk about it."
The guy says, "I'm sorry but I can not do that."
Therapist says, "Why?"
The guy says, "I am not allowed on the furniture."
Therapist says, "Well have a seat and we will talk about it."
The guy says, "I'm sorry but I can not do that."
Therapist says, "Why?"
The guy says, "I am not allowed on the furniture."
Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 426
I agree with all said above and wated to stress the point about being honest and open. You may or may not "click" with them and you may need to look for someone else, and that is okay. Make it part of your "plan" and stick with it. Give it a real go. But not being honest and open will be a waste of time and money.
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