Do I need to prepare anything for my first visit to a psychologist?

Preparing for your first counseling session

Perhaps influenced by movies and TV dramas, many people think that meeting with a psychologist is both mysterious and miraculous.

With a cup of tea, two sofas, and a conversation, you can solve problems that have plagued you for years, or maybe just a few sentences can open up new ideas for you…

Is psychological counseling really like this?

Today, let’s follow the perspective of Teacher Xiaodu to understand what we need to do to prepare for our first experience of psychological counseling.

I hope you can learn about the daily work of a psychologist from this.

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What do you need to prepare for your first psychological counseling session?

01. Prepare a relaxed “mind”

People coming to the counseling room for the first time have different moods. Perhaps they are cautious and reserved; perhaps they are nervous and at a loss; maybe they want to solve their problems all at once…

I have encountered visitors who prepared a script in order to improve their efficiency. By the time they finished reading all the questions on their script, 45 minutes of counseling time may have already passed. And then they hope that in the next 15 minutes, you can provide a perfect solution to their problems.

Before becoming a counselor, each of us was a seasoned visitor, and this is an important process to become a qualified psychologist. When I had my first counseling experience, my inner thoughts were very rich. I was nervous but also a little excited. After all, I have learned so much, and this is my first real counseling session.

It’s like preparing to go to a place you’ve never been before. You don’t know what it’s like there, what rules to follow, and how to make the process go smoothly.

One of my visitors once told me that the reason she chose me as her counselor was that my profile was written very clearly and there weren’t so many vague things. These pieces of information made me understand that in her interaction style, she wanted to feel safe and in control, which would make her feel more at ease during the process.

02. Prepare “trust” and “commitment”

For a counseling relationship, commitment is crucial, even if you don’t know what to say at first.

But in fact, when you enter the counseling room, the counseling has already begun, and all the information in this process can help a counselor carry out their work. The counselor’s thinking and assessment are not just limited to the linguistic aspects.

As a visitor, you don’t need comprehensive preparation for psychological counseling. What it needs is the courage to open this door.

In my initial counseling experiences, my counselors have asked me more than once, “Are you ready to officially engage in counseling? If not, what are your concerns?”

This question made me think seriously for a while. It made me think about my needs and whether I have gained the value I wanted from our relationship.

The reasons for our troubles mostly come from relationships, but we cannot escape from many relationships. If we try to learn how to manage and handle relationships after escaping from them, it would be no different from futile discussions.

Our lives are about dealing with various relationships, such as studying, dating, and working, but no relationship is as in-depth as the one with psychological counseling. Therefore, it is not easy to want to commit, it requires your trust and courage.

Seeing this, I wonder if it has given you the courage to make a change? If not, don’t worry, the following content will surely give you more courage and encouragement. If needed, I can offer you a free psychological assessment and analysis (DM for details), whether you choose online (phone, video) or offline (face-to-face) evaluation, it is a brave first step.

03. Let go of some “unfounded worries”

In addition to the preparations mentioned above, before entering counseling, we also need to let go of some things. This will give you the courage to express your thoughts and feelings to the counselor.

“Is it right for me to have this idea?”

We often encounter visitors who worry that what they say will make them seem abnormal. This is not surprising. Perhaps it stems from past experiences of negation and criticism, or what we commonly refer to as “shame about illness.”

Such feelings make us puzzled about what we can talk about, because we care about others' evaluations of us. However, if we look at it from a different perspective, we will find that in these concerned gazes, we gradually lose ourselves and lose our freedom.

In the face of these concerns, what I want to say is:

It’s okay. In your first counseling session, you can let go of your nervousness and say what you want to say, even your immediate impressions of the counselor in front of you.

What you need to do is let go of your defenses and feel attentively, feel whether this environment makes you comfortable and whether you can continue with the counseling.

“Can my problems be solved just by talking?”

Many people may want to try because they have seen hypnosis in movies that seems fast and effective. Or they have seen videos where counselors hit the nail on the head.

In fact, these direct hits may be the result of a lot of work. Your counselor may have been observing and assessing your current state and using appropriate counseling methods.

Chatting is just the process of opening up your inner self. This process is an accumulation for future changes. When you describe your situation in words, it’s actually an opportunity for you to reflect.

“If I explain my problems clearly, will I receive accurate advice?”

Maybe because of the influence of Chinese culture, visitors always refer to counselors as “teachers.” Once this label is applied, counselors are naturally placed in a higher position. But in fact, counselors and visitors should have an equal cooperative relationship.

It’s like learning to drive a car. You treat the counselor as your driving instructor, and you do whatever they tell you. But the counselor should be your co-pilot. Faced with unknown roads ahead, we need to explore together and see what’s there, what fears there are, and what we can try.

After you describe the road conditions, the counselor shouldn’t just say, “Now listen to me.” No one has the right to manipulate another person’s life.

Your expectation of advice may stem from our idealization and idolization of authority. This will create a relationship pattern of “You should be able to, but I cannot.” But when you realize that you cannot rely on others, you may feel deep disappointment and dissatisfaction.

When you stop focusing on whether you receive advice, I believe you will gain a lot.

“If…”

You feel emotionally low or in a bad mood, but it doesn’t affect your normal social functioning, and there is subjective and objective consistency, and your personality is basically intact, please don’t easily say that you have a psychological problem.

We all have the ability to self-heal, and some troubles can be resolved on our own. If these problems make you consistently uncomfortable and you feel that you cannot control them, and they affect your efficiency in work, study, and relationships, then it is necessary to find a psychologist for counseling.

After saying so much, you don’t need too much preparation for your first counseling session. Just bring yourself, along with some trust, courage, and curiosity.

Perhaps you can also come and chat with me about your first experience of psychological counseling. If you are ready now, you can click “Zhengdu Psychological Counseling” to schedule your first counseling session.

I hope the above content is helpful to everyone.

I am Teacher Xiaodu from Zhengdu Psychological Counseling, follow me for daily sharing of psychology with warmth.

WeChat Official Account: Zhengdu Psychological Counseling, follow to receive a free psychological assessment and analysis.

Preparing for Counseling Session

Hello, questioner, the first time you go to see a psychotherapist, all you need to do is two things

First, have a relaxed mindset:

You can think ahead of time about what prompted you to make an appointment for psychotherapy, what issues you want to discuss and resolve through counseling, and communicate these thoughts to your therapist.

However, if you are not clear about this, it’s okay. Just communicate in your own way. Authenticity is the most important thing. Whether it’s unclear thoughts, worries, hesitations, nerves, or even dismissive feelings, they are all authentic and can be expressed. If you have any questions about counseling itself, you can also discuss them with your therapist.

If you have any history of psychiatric treatment or are currently taking medication, please inform your therapist during the counseling session.

Second: be on time for the counseling session or in front of the video:

If it is an in-person counseling session, please check the route in advance and leave an extra 10-20 minutes if possible, familiarize yourself with the route, and find the counseling room. The therapist will appear on time at the agreed upon time, so please be patient if you arrive early and do not see the therapist.

If it is a video counseling session, please arrange the network environment in advance and ensure smooth network connectivity. It is recommended to add the therapist on the corresponding video software about 10 minutes before the start of the counseling session. The therapist will come online at the agreed upon time and invite you through your friend’s list to start the video counseling. It is recommended to have the video session with the therapist in a quiet and private place.

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No need, just prepare money.

No need, nothing is needed, just prepare the money.

Three Questions:

(1) Do I need to prepare anything? (2) Should I tell TA my whole story? (3) What should I do if I have an emotional breakdown during counseling?

(1) Do I need to prepare anything? (2) Should I tell TA my whole story? (3) What should I do if I have an emotional breakdown during counseling? Three Questions:

(1) Do I need to prepare anything?

Answer: Everyone is different. Some people may prepare some notes to record key information they want to talk about, which can improve efficiency. Some people may go with the flow and don’t need to make any special preparations. They can answer according to the guidance of the counselor.

The fact that you asked this question shows that you care and take it seriously or have the possibility of “wanting to do better”, which is great. It doesn’t matter if you don’t prepare anything.

(2) Do I need to tell TA my whole story?

Answer: During the counseling process, especially the first few sessions, it is difficult to tell all the stories in one’s life. Many people feel more comfortable and willing to share more when they feel a match with the counselor, the counselor’s respect, and acceptance.

So even if you have some reservations or stories that you haven’t prepared to tell, you don’t have to say them. You have the right to do so.

(3) What should I do if I have an emotional breakdown during the counseling process?

Answer: Emotional breakdowns usually happen when you feel deeply about something or when you trust the other person. From the initial meeting to gradually going deeper into the counseling process, a good counselor will accompany you through it. If you feel upset, cry; if you feel happy, laugh. The counseling room should be a place where you can relax and express yourself, so give it a try.

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I am @Willi, a psychology graduate and a qualified national second-tier psychological counselor.

Focusing on critical thinking, popularizing psychological well-being, and wanting to do more kind deeds.

With stories, theories, and a diverse range of human experiences,

Feel free to follow me, and I will continue to provide you with practical tips for embracing happiness.

No Preparation Needed

Actually, there is no need to do much preparation. If you do want to prepare, first understand what school of thought your counselor belongs to. The school of thought of the counselor determines the time, cost, and process of your counseling.

You can think about the people and events in your past life that have left a deep impression on you, as well as your counseling goals. Consider your current emotions, thoughts, and physical condition, as well as your life, family, and work situation. Bringing a diary can also be helpful.

That’s basically it.

Exploring Emotions in Counseling

If you don’t need anything, but still want to be prepared, just bring the pressing question you want to solve.

As for whether you need to share your story, it is definitely necessary to narrate some of it during the initial consultation to understand the basic situation. When encountering a reliable psychological counselor, you will always gain something and grow after each counseling session. If necessary, the counselor may also assign you some tasks.

It is completely normal to have an emotional breakdown during the counseling process, so don’t worry or overthink. It is actually the best opportunity for you to see the wounds in your subconscious and deep within your mind and soul.

Clear Your Needs and Communicate Effectively

Just clarify what issues you need a psychologist to help you solve. When consulting with them, you should be able to clearly express the emotions you need. Because during counseling, if you speak carelessly and incoherently, even the psychologist won’t understand what main point you’re trying to convey. So we need to keep a clear mind.

No Need for Preparations, Be Your Authentic Self

No preparation is needed, just be yourself.

If you really want to prepare, then use your own reasoning to determine if this consultant is suitable for your situation, if they can provide you with genuine and effective help, that is, your first impression and the feeling of communication.

Relax and express yourself.

Relax.

Feel free to express your feelings and convey what you want to say. Before seeking advice, you can organize your thoughts and make a mental list. Of course, sometimes it’s unnecessary. Some visitors cry for a long time during their first counseling session, and the counselor helps them release their emotions. When emotions are released, people become more relaxed.

During the first counseling session, not only will you feel a little nervous, but the counselor will also feel a little nervous. The purpose of the first counseling session is to assess whether you and the counselor are a good match, as even the best counselor may not always match well with every visitor.

If there is a match, you will schedule a second counseling session. If there is no match, you will be assigned a different counselor.

Seeking sincere help from professionals to find clarity and peace in life.

With a sincere heart, tell yourself that you must seek help from professionals to guide you out of the confusion and haze in your mind, so that you can breathe and live normally.

Go with the flow and express yourself following the guidance of the counselor, without considering irrelevant people and matters. Just think about how to be helpful to yourself.