4 Tips To Prepare for Your First Counseling Session
If you are preparing to see a mental health counselor Roswell NM, you might be feeling nervous. Attending counseling is a big step in acknowledging mental health issues and can be overwhelming. You might feel like you don’t know where to begin or what to talk about, or you might be afraid to voice the things you have been thinking and feeling for a long time. Here are four tips to help you feel calm and prepared for your first counseling session.
1. Ask Questions
Don’t be afraid to ask your counselor questions before your first appointment. Many counselors offer a free consultation to make sure they are a good fit for your needs. You can ask what to expect from your first session and get an idea of what things they are going to talk about with you.
2. Make Notes
It can be helpful to make notes ahead of time about what you would like to address during counseling. Think about your hopes and goals, as well as specific concerns you feel need to be addressed.
3. Keep Expectations in Check
Remember that building a relationship with your counselor takes time, just like any other relationship. Don’t panic if the first session feels clunky, awkward, or like you didn’t have any huge breakthroughs. It can take a few sessions for your counselor to get a good understanding of your life and specific mental health issues, and for you to be fully comfortable sharing those difficult things. Don’t expect groundbreaking revelations during the first session.
4. Give Yourself Time
Especially for the first session, it is helpful to have some time before to prepare your thoughts. If you are rushing from work or stressed stuck in traffic right before, it can start your session out on a frazzled note and make it more difficult to get into a productive headspace. If possible give yourself 30 minutes to an hour before and after your session to process how you’re feeling.
