Taking the first step…
The idea of counselling can be daunting, if it is your first time thinking about getting counselling then you will probably feel slightly nervous and apprehensive about what a counselling session will look like, but also what you will learn about yourself. If this is not your first time getting counselling it can still bring up feelings of nervousness, this is completely normal and to be expected.
It is not unusual to feel apprehensive before starting counselling, it might feel like talking about your problems to someone might make them feel more real, and may force you to think about them in a way you haven’t before. It may also feel like a failure, sometime the expectation is that we can handle our problems by ourselves, more often than not this is not the case. It can also feel weird to be talking to someone you don’t know about your private struggles and thoughts, however it can also feel freeing and liberating to be able to get everything off your chest.
So, what can you do to make the First Session a more comfortable one?
1. Set Goals
It is useful to have an idea about what you would like from counselling, to have goals and to have something to work towards. This can help to give you more direction and can make you feel more relaxed to come into the session with a clear mind. It is not always necessary to have goals and sometimes it can be useful to just see what happens and see what direction the sessions take.
2. Prepare
If you are someone who likes to prepare it can be a good idea to write down points or start a journal before the first session so you know what you would like to talk about in the session, this can help you to feel calmer and can take away to nerves and feeling of being overwhelmed.
3. Question
Ask your own questions to the counsellor, you can find out more about their training, their registered membership body, their counselling style and the theories they like to work with.
4. Focus
Don’t forget the sessions are about you! You get to decide what you would like to talk about and what you feel comfortable bringing up in the sessions
5. Time and Self-Care
Lastly make sure you look after yourself after the first session has finished! It can feel slightly weird at first to open up to someone you don’t know and talk about yourself for 50 minutes. The session can sometimes leave you feeling wired and slightly disoriented so if you can take a few minutes after the session to calm down and take some self-care time!
Remember just taking the first step of considering counselling is a big deal and shows that you are ready for change in your life. You should be proud of yourself for taking that step!