CBT session, homework given, any ideas what this is?

[Pickypolly]

First session.
Councillor seemed to talk at me a whole lot. I can’t even tell you what she was saying.
She just talked and talked, wrote some stuff on a bit of paper, scribbled things down then gave it to me &vsaid something about it being homework to bring to the next session.

Scrub longs consist of “history-life events”
Then something about environment, where am I? Who with, what doing, when and why?

Work,home, social...
I dint know what it means and what she wants from me.
Is it now, recent events, when from??

Anyone done this and know about the homework?

It sounds like you need a new therapist.

Yep I had exactly this. Therapist wants a list of major life events that have affected you throughout your life. For me it was my first memory which was abuse, a parent leaving, neglect, through to teens when further traumatic things happened up to adulthood - having children, getting married etc. It's to get a picture of the events that have made you who you are.

Then they want to know where you are now. What's your personal situation? Who do you live with, do you have kids, a job, married etc.

It's quite normal and not at all a reason to change therapist like previous poster's suggestion. It's just how CBT starts, that's all. They need to know who you are and how to help you.

Not saying having kids or getting married was traumatic btw!! Just that they were major life events that were included

Now that makes sense! Thank you.

I can do that.
Thanks again.

I think the poster up thread was saying you need a new therapist as this one is not communicating well with you. I’ve had a therapist who talked a lot, and ditched her after one session for somebody who asked questions and then really listened to the answers, which was much better. Can you switch?

No can’t switch.

This can be the difference between cbt and counselling. Cbt is more practical based, there is not so much focus on feelings and talking in depth. In my (professional view as an integrative therapist) Cbt is more effective if you have a specific issue e.g. driving anxiety that you wish to address, rather than to explore deep seated issues. Cbt will challenge your assumptions and beliefs and help you consider other possibilities, which can be very helpful.

It sounds like this was an assessment session, during which the counsellor sometimes does more talking as they are explaining everything to you and setting the scene - this happens more often in cbt, as well as gathering some background information. Homework is typical of cbt and part of the process. Don't give up just yet, I'd give it at least a few sessions.

I hope your cbt goes well!

Thank you for this, very very helpful.

I can only have 4 sessions and need to get everything I can get out of this.
I think she is leaning towards CBT, but I just didn’t know where to start.

@Pickypolly

Now that makes sense! Thank you.

I can do that.
Thanks again.

You're welcome, I hope you get on well with it. Mine was a combination of CBT and counselling on the NHS about 8 years ago. I was very lucky to get 20-odd sessions over a span of about 9 months. My therapist was fantastic and I can quite honestly say she changed my life.

Just to echo what PP have said, my therapist made it very clear that CBT was not counselling and we wouldn't be talking in depth about past trauma. I had a specific issue and she helped me to address the thoughts, feelings and behaviours I was having around that issue in the here and now. She did suggest I would probably benefit from counselling too, but that's not the point of CBT.