alright give it to me straight...

Liz,

When you go for your appointment, be yourself, and hopefully you will click with your therapist.  First appointment is history-taking, as others have said.  After that, hopefully she will give you some short-term goals to help with your anxiety.  I think therapy is a great thing if you find the correct therapist.  There will be so much to learn and it sounds like you are ready to gain some insight as well as techniques to help you conquer your anxiety.  Lots of luck being sent your way.  I know you'll do just fine!

Debbie

Liz,
I think therapy is a wonderful thing. If for some reason you don't bond with your therapist you should try to find another one. That is very important. I have a wonderful one here in Reading. I can tell her anything and feel very comfortable with her. I've had about 10 different therapist in my life and I notice if I don't feel comfortable with them I hold back. Also, I was on Welbutrin for years. I was even on it while pregnant with my son. I think that is why he was such a good baby...lol. I've been on tons of different meds and I'll tell you that Welbutrin was the easiest one to get off of. Some made me seriously crazy and gave me brain shakes. I have to say that this is the best (mentally) that I have felt in a very long time and I have been off the meds for a few months now. Your first few appointments are just going to be about your back ground. It takes a while to get into the real issues but it's worth it. I hope you connect with her and good luck.

Tracy

Norm's right, Liz - don't try to be over-prepared or think about it too much before going or you won't be relaxed enough to really talk things out when that time comes. And a good therapist will put you at ease and ease you into talking about what really bothers you.

I've only gone once in my life because my family was always of the mindset that people don't need 'shrinks' - they need to work things out for themselves - probably why my siblings and I were all at least 100 lbs overweight.

I think my first few visits with mine I cried thru most of them - which was what I needed because my family wouldn't let me cry and let the emotions out. Once I got past all the tears I was able to talk openly about what was bothering me. I don't go anymore but sometimes think it might not be a bad thing, especially when things get back with my mom's health.

You're going to be fine - don't go in with expectations other than that you're going to be able to talk opening and honestly to someone about what's bothering you. Good luck...

Liz, 

   Just take a deep breath relax the best you can. When you go he/she will take some info to get to know you and then it is just a feeling to go with the flow in conversation. Keep your mind and heart open to let things out that get you feeling this way.  You are in a safe place with the therapist also if you do not feel a connection it is ok to not return and find someone you do connect with. 

  I just went back into therapy about 8 weeks ago with a wonderful therapist. I feel at ease and bond to talk openly and I also listen in return. 

I think this will be very good for you!  

Thanks Beth. I think that it is what I need. Especially after my loss. MY friends are the BEST but I have trouble processing it all in my head.

I'll let everyone know how I make out tomorrow!

Funny you say that Liz, We had a conversation about this Susan, Tammy and myself on why we need therapy and well the answer was as much as we love each other as friends and can talk about things that sometimes it is just not enough the therapist is non partial so they can offer a different prespective on things we are going through.

One thing I have learned is that you have to have an open mind and know they wil not give you answers just help you see what the right answer is for you.

Relax... and don't over think it.  

They will probably have some questionairres for you to answer  and then have chat about what your goals for the sessions are.  (And they will probably revisit those periodically as sometimes your needs may change.)

Well, coming from a therapist remember these pearls of wisdom. We have a little anxiety with each new client because we hope that we will be enough to help them with whatever problem it is they have.
we are human beings and make mistakes and do not always have the answers

Therapy os a collaborative process, you work together, the therapist can only help you as much as you are wiling to help yourself.

Be honest they cannot help you if they do not know the whole story.

They will take a history, ask you why you are there and come up with a tx plan. Be very specific about what you are looking for.

If there is any good thing about anxiety, it is that it responds well to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It is one of the most succesfully tx issues with it.

You will be fine, call me if you need me

THanks Nicole!! I do feel better about going into it now. She seemed great when I talked to her on the phone the few times and I look forward to meeting her. Makes me feel better to hear your perspective "from the other side" too.

Thanks!

I personally think it take alot of courage to do theraphy I went and didn't realize how much pain I had been carrying all these years.  Including my childhood which alot of it was blocked from my mind. I took a deep breath and walked into my therapist's office and never looked back. She got my history which wasn't pleasant and we moved on to other things.  She was awesome when I made the decision to do my wls she was all for it and I really needed her in my corner don't know why but I did and she has been there.  Relax and go in with an open mind and the rest will fall into place I would wish you good luck but you don't need it.  After meeting you I see what a confident lady you are no matter what.  You have what I would call a "quiet strength" all of that from that one meeting and I have seen you be such a strong lady for all of us.