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How do therapists start a session?
At the beginning of a session, the therapist typically invites you to share what’s been going on in your life, what’s on your mind, what’s bothering you, or whether there are any goals you’d like to discuss. You’ll be invited to speak openly. You also know therapy is working if you’re using the skills you learned in session, outside of session. For example, are you better able to set boundaries with others, prioritize your own needs and demands, and effectively deal with situations without spiraling into a panic attack? These are great signs of progress. Therapists often jot down the significant dates, names of important people, and descriptions of symptoms. This becomes even more important when documenting information that could be written up in an abuse report or other legal proceedings. Therapy can last anywhere from one session to several months or even years. It all depends on what you want and need. Some people come to therapy with a very specific problem they need to solve and might find that one or two sessions is sufficient. They typically include information about the presenting symptoms and diagnosis, observations and assessment of the individual’s presentation, treatment interventions used by the therapist (including modality and frequency of treatment), results of any tests that were administered, any medication that was prescribed, … Therapy twice a week on the other hand allows you to go much deeper. We recommend this option for people who want to take the skills they’ve learned in therapy and apply them to their life in a more practical way. It’s all about taking the inner work and make it applicable in the real world.
What do therapists do after a session?
After you unpack your feelings, your therapist might provide you with some insight in response or help you deconstruct and synthesize what you just shared. They also might give you a task or something to think about if they think it’s important for your process. Psychotherapy is not supposed to be like a regular conversation. Over-talking, whether therapists are talking about you or—even worse—themselves, is one of the most common therapeutic blunders. Start by writing down a few examples of situations you’ve experienced as part of your problem. Then note down the thoughts you had as a result, how that made you feel emotionally and physically, and what you did as a result. Look for any connections or patterns. Here are a few questions your therapist might ask in your first therapy session, if they haven’t already addressed them in the phone consultation: Have you attended therapy in the past? What are your symptoms? Do you have a family history of mental health struggles?
What should a therapist do in the first session?
The therapist will ask questions about your presenting concerns, as well as your history and background. Most likely, you’ll find yourself talking about your current symptoms or struggles, as well saying a bit about your relationships, your interests, your strengths, and your goals. At the beginning of a session, the therapist typically invites you to share what’s been going on in your life, what’s on your mind, what’s bothering you, or whether there are any goals you’d like to discuss. You’ll be invited to speak openly. Therapy notes are information recorded by a mental health professional used to aid in documenting and evaluating conversations that take place during therapy. These are the notes that a therapist writes down as you talk during your therapy session. “Therapists’ process notes are to help therapists solidify memories of important details, themes to come back to, or noteworthy elements of the therapy process,” she says. “These small bits of information help us remember where we left off when we meet again and help us track the progress of therapy.” I’d like to shift the focus a bit and talk about the role of relationships and what I call the four pillars of counseling: trust, respect, positive regard, and open-mindedness.
What is the first thing a therapist does?
Your first session will probably involve your therapist asking you a lot of questions about you, how you cope, and your symptoms (it’s basically an interview). You may also chat about goals for therapy, expectations, and more. Because a therapy session is totally and completely about you, it isn’t quite a two-way conversation. A therapist or psychiatrist is actually trained to listen. They are not only listening to what you are saying, they are listening for what you are not saying. To start a conversation, you can talk about your daily activities or a particular day you’ve had. Share something about your life to establish a connection. You can share whatever is pressing your mind at the moment, even if it is unrelated or seems insignificant. Therapy involves sharing your feelings, thoughts and experiences without being judged, condemned or criticized by your therapist. Good counseling involves a non-judgmental environment where you can feel safe expressing your innermost thoughts and feelings.