How Can I Prepare for My First Therapy Session With a New Therapist?

An initial meeting with a new therapist can be anxiety-inducing, even when you've been in therapy before. What will this new therapist be like? Which treatment methods will they use? What information should I share with them? Am I trying to establish new goals with this therapist? If so, how can I communicate them effectively in my initial therapy session? How can I measure my progress this time around? These are all valid questions to ask, but there are ways for you to prepare for an initial session that can help ease your overall anxiety. 

Therapy has proven effective for many individuals. However, it's only as effective as you allow it to be. Individuals must learn to be open, honest, and vulnerable to get the most out of therapy, which can be challenging. Consider researching before beginning your therapy journey, and to learn more about the benefits of therapy for addiction treatment, contact West Coast Recovery Centers today. 

What Is Therapy and How Can Is It Beneficial?

Therapy – also known as talk therapy or psychotherapy – is working with a mental health professional to improve your mental well-being. Many share a stigma that counseling is solely for individuals struggling with severe psychiatric conditions. However, that couldn't be further from the truth. People attend therapy for all kinds of reasons. For instance, some individuals seek therapy to:

• Manage anxiety and depression 
• Cope with grief and loss 
• Improve personal relationships 
• Better manage stress 
• Navigate life changes and transitions 

What people get out of therapy depends on many factors. For example, it depends on what they're struggling with, their goals, and how much work they're willing to put in. Many want counseling to offer overnight solutions, but unfortunately, that simply isn't how it works. The reality is that although therapy may not help immediately, overall, it can help individuals: 

• Develop healthy coping skills 
• Improve and strengthen their relationships
• Change harmful behaviors 
• Manage strong or complex emotions 
• Cope with symptoms of a mental health condition 
• Heal from the trauma of their past 
• Develop new ways of thinking 
• Increase self-awareness
• Improve communications and conflict resolution skills 
• Get to know themselves better 

Meanwhile, different types of therapies may treat varying sets of circumstances. However, some common types of therapies – some of which we implement at West Coast Recovery Centers – include: 

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) 
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Psychodynamic therapy 
• Family therapy 
• Group therapy 
• Art and music therapy 
• Substance abuse psychoeducation

So, with some of these in mind, let's consider the benefits of therapy that pertain specifically to addiction treatment. 

The Benefits of Therapy for Addiction Treatment

Many professionals believe that substance use disorder (SUD) and behavioral addictions manifest out of deeply rooted traumas. Of course, other factors contribute to the development of addiction. Yet, part of healing from active addiction does require individuals to work through these traumas and understand the root cause of their addiction. Therapy can help people do that. 

Some of the benefits of therapy for addiction treatment include: 

• Identifying triggers 
• Practicing coping skills 
• Creating helpful recovery plans 
• Supporting and interpreting complex thoughts and experiences 
• Providing people a safe space to explore and express concerns about addiction

What Should You Do Before an Initial Therapy Session?

As mentioned, an initial therapy session can be anxiety-inducing, even if you've tried therapy in the past. Nervousness is entirely normal. However, there are steps you can take to prepare for an initial therapy session with a new therapist, including: 

• Researching to find a therapist that seems like a good fit
• Learning about the potential types of therapy you may receive 
• Thinking about your goals and write them down
• Preparing a list of questions you might have for your therapist
• Managing your expectations about an initial therapy session 
• Finding a quiet, private place where you can speak freely if your session is virtual 
• Setting aside time to think about why you're attending therapy 
• Making a list of topics or issues you think you'd like to cover during your time in therapy 
• Challenging fears of not knowing what to say, especially during an initial session 
• Being open and honest with your therapist, which includes being honest about any concerns you may have about therapy 

How Do Some Track Their Progress From One Therapy Session to the Next?

Tracking progress from one therapy session to the next looks different for everyone. Here are some ways you can begin tracking your therapy process: 

• Establish goals with a therapist early on and write them down 
• Journal the therapy journey to see where you were to where you are now 
• Make notes of your feelings throughout your week 
• Document your experimentations with new coping techniques 
• Consider asking a close friend or family member if they've noticed positive changes in your thoughts, feelings, or behaviors 

Remember, an initial therapy session isn't going to fix all your problems. However, you should feel proud of yourself for taking the initial step. Consider utilizing these tips when preparing for an initial therapy session, and remember, it sometimes takes a couple of tries before finding the right fit. Please don't give up, the outcome will be worth it. 

Many spend years going in and out of therapy, oftentimes because they either don't click with the therapist or haven't properly managed their expectations. The reality is that it sometimes takes a couple of tries before you find the right fit for yourself and your mental health needs, but once you do, it's time well spent. Even those who've tried therapy before may experience anxiety about an initial therapy session with a new therapist. Thankfully, there are ways to prepare for this initial session and ease your worries. Consider some of these tips before your initial therapy session, and to learn more about the benefits of therapy on addiction recovery, call West Coast Recovery Centers at (760) 492-6509 today.