I'd like a podcast of real therapy sessions to listen to if that's possible?

[mosesisnotyourfriend]

Anyone know any? I've searched and only find acting ones

Try Esther Perel on Spotify.

I did find her but she is just doing couples therapy I think.

Esther Perel is the only one I know of. I’d think this would be a difficult thing to find. You’d need so many ethical permissions.

I assume you’re interested in getting therapy but nervous about it? The problem is that there’s all sorts of types, so a podcast probably couldn’t offer you the insight you want. But maybe that’s not why you’re curious?

Yes that's right nosquirrels. I just want an idea of how it will be and how I should be!

'I just want an idea of how it will be and how I should be!'

There is no right way to be in therapy. I used to worry about this too - I wanted to be a 'good' client and to do things 'right'. It was all a symptom of my anxiety and low self esteem and generally being way too hard on myself.

I could tell you what my therapy sessions were like, but that's only my experience - yours will be different because they are unique to you
. Depends on the type of therapy too - CBT will have a different format to EMDR will be different to psychodynamic therapy. Feel free to ask your therapist what to expect at your first session, but please let go of expectations of how you 'should' be in sessions

@mosesisnotyourfriend - every session is unique to the individuals taking part so I think even if you could listen to real life therapy you'd only get confused. "How I should be" is yourself, "how it will be" very much depends on the relationship between you and the therapist. Just be aware that you can stop at any time if you don't feel comfortable and that the therapist will be on your side.

I like Dear Therapists.

What therapy is, at its heart, is a guided open conversation. Then, after the conversation, as a PP says, there might be specific elements or exercises like CBT.

Try to just think of it as a conversation where you don’t need to worry if the other person is enjoying it or if you’re burdening them. It’s a conversation without expectations.

You could listen to dr Tanya Byron on her podcast with Claudia winkleman. I can't remember what it's called

How did we get here . Tanya Btyron but they are one off conversations not therapy sessions.

I would say you need to be honest, don't just give knee jerk answers, even if your response doesn't necessarily paint you in a good light. Therapy is rarely a comfortable sensation but a good therapist will guide you and help you explore and they will support you if you are doing any particular extras that may trigger strong emotion. They should never condemn or blame, they will accept and help you expand your understanding of yourself and where whatever has brought to counselling has come from and how you can deal with it.
Much of the time it is a conversation albeit one that can lead to some interesting revelations/places (I discovered stuff I hadn't previously considered and it's helped to balance other experiences/reactions).

I know this isn't what you're looking for, but have you seen Couples Therapy on iPlayer? Those are real sessions.