First, it is important to understand that when you are starting therapy and feeling uncomfortable, for the most part, that has to do with dealing with the unknown. Therefore, the more you can “know” about the therapy, the therapist, the process, etc. the less anxious and more comfortable you will feel.
Here are a few tips to help you to feel comfortable starting therapy:
- Ask others to describe their experience in therapy.
- Before attending your first session, ask the therapist (generally over the phone) to describe how he/she works in therapy. How they work is actually not that important, but that you feel comfortable and connected during that call is very important. Also, at the end of the call ask yourself if you have a sense of understanding what the therapist will do with you during therapy. Many therapists cannot describe what they do in therapy, and that can determine how effective they will be with you.
- Ask the therapist (again over the phone) what you should expect during a typical therapy session.
- In order to reduce the unknown, look up the therapist online. Look up the type of therapy offered by the therapist. Look up the office location. Look up therapist evaluations on sites like Yelp. The more you know the more comfortable you will be.
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