In SELF’s article, 8 Things You Should Know Before Your First Therapy Appointment, the author discusses her hesitation with returning to therapy and offers 8 general guidelines that psychologists say could help make the process a little more effective.
“A client comes into therapy cold and is expected to know what to do, but they don’t,” clinical psychologist Ryan Howes, Ph.D., tells SELF. “There’s not much out there to prepare them for what therapy is like, plus everyone’s experience is different.”
To feel more prepared, SELF recommends the following guidelines:
1. Don’t just go off of referrals.
2. Ask for a free phone consultation before booking an appointment.
3. Ask the therapist what progress may look like.
4. Expect to feel uncomfortable at times.
5. Don’t worry about bringing something big to discuss each session.
6. When you don’t agree with your therapist, speak up.
7. If things aren’t working out, don’t ghost your therapist.
8. Therapy should be bettering your life – even if it’s work.
To learn more about each of these guidelines for developing an easier and more effective therapy experience, read 8 Things You Should Know Before Your First Therapy Appointment at SELF’s website.