What actually happens when you visit a counsellor?

[Crapster]

I've arranged to see a counsellor next week (private not NHS) who is highly recommended locally.

But what actually happens? Do I just talk and cry and she listens? I've never ever done this before and one of my main issues is debilitating anxiety so I'd like to have an idea of what to expect!

You'll introduce each other and then probably sit opposite each other. They will explain the boundaries and then she'll ask you something along the lines of "What's brought you here today?". You answer and don't worry as she'll subtly manage the rest. There'll be no trick questions or anything.

As BlueBird said.
Boundaries are the rules by which you engage with one another , time, place, cost, number of sessions, as well as offering you assurances of safety - that what you talk about is confidential.

Don’t overthink it, remember it is your time, the counsellor is there completely for you. Ask all the questions you need to get the most out of the experience.

She'll probably ask you a bit about yourself and what's brought you to counselling.

She might ask you what you'd like to get out of counselling.

She may tell you how she works. For instance, she might use CBT which is quite solution-focused, designed to give you tools to deal with your anxiety and tackle the thinking processes which underly it. Or she may be psychodynamic, in which case she might look at the causes of the anxiety, such as your childhood or traumatic experiences.

She might go through her contract, which explains the commitment of both therapist and client towards therapy, e.g. when your sessions are, what happens if you can't attend one week, etc.

It's important that she is someone that you feel comfortable talking to and eventually opening up to. If you cannot build trust with your therapist you won't make much progress. As the customer, as well as the client, you can choose whether or not she is the best therapist for you.

good luck.

*just to add these days a lot of therapists use a combination of different styles and therapeutic approaches dependent on the needs of the client.