Tips to Reduce Anxiety Before Your First Meeting With a Therapist

Do you feel uneasy talking to a stranger about anxiety?

Are you worried your therapist won’t understand you?

Are you nervous about bringing up old feelings?

 These are all common fears for those who’ve never gone to therapy. But don’t worry; you’re not the only one! Therapists are trained to listen; they are not there to judge you, but rather to help you work through your anxiety.

A therapist will listen carefully and come up with a treatment plan specifically for you, and address any issues you may need help working through.

You may feel nervous before going to your first meeting with a new therapist. That’s normal!

Here are some tips to help reduce those feelings of anxiety:

1. When calling to make an appointment, ask them what you should expect when coming to see them for the first time. Often they will want to get to know a little bit about you and why you have decided to see them. 
2. Know that your therapist is not going to make you do anything you don’t want to. They’re trained to work at your pace and they know that change isn’t easy for everyone! 
3. Don’t be afraid of sharing too much. Go in with an open mind knowing that the first session is for you and your therapist to get to know each other. 
4. Asking your therapist on the phone about their therapeutic style and approach is a great way to get to know them before you meet in person. You can get an idea if they’re a good match for you and calm your nerves at the same time. 
5.  Feeling sad after a therapy session can be normal. Your old feelings and memories often come back up and can make you feel nervous about going to your next session. The beginning stages can be overwhelming, but stick with it! 

Remember that therapy looks different for everyone. Some use it occasionally or when a life event occurs. You may use it once a month for the next two years.

There is no one formula for everyone. Talking out a plan with your therapist to find out what works best for you is key.

The most important thing to remember is that your therapist is here for you! They’re not here to judge, but to help.

Trust the process and go in with an open mind. Building that trust with your therapist will help make your journey a success!

If you’re interested in meeting with one of our experienced therapists in Alma please call and make an appointment today at: 989-796-4555.