First counselling session - what happens

[Pleasehelpmeagain]

Hi I have my first counselling session on Tuesday morning. Can anyone tell me what is likely to happen and what sort of questions she may ask me?

Firstly, well d

Argh sorry...

Well done for getting counselling sorted. I was v nervous before my session but it was the best thing ever once I was there. I cherished my weekly sessions and found them incredibly helpful.

What sort of counselling is it?

I don't know? Are there different sorts?

I just wondered whether it might be CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) which I had via the NHS, or traditional counselling which I have had privately both with and without DH.

Either way, she is likely to explain a bit about herself, what she does and how sessions will work. She will also ask you why you have decided to come for counselling and what you hope to get out of it.

The more open you are able to be with her, the more you will get out of the sessions, IME. You are likely to end up asking yourself some uncomfortable questions so be brave! I have had various epiphanies throughout my counselling 'journey' .

Overall a v rewarding and helpful experience and I am a far happier person for it. Best of luck

Thanks. It isn't CBT. I had started that but the therapist felt I needed counselling and so has referred me on.
I am expecting it to be difficult and am determined to be very honest as I can't go on with things the way they are.

Hi usually they explain how they work - how long sessions are each time, whether they are time limited (is it short term work etc), what their code of ethics are and about their confidentiality rules. Then you can ask questions. Often NHS do 50minute sessions, but places vary.

They may ask what your goals are from counselling as well, what you want out of it.

Useful to know then know when met goals.

Will I be able to talk about my issues? I am keen to get things sorted and moving.

Why not start by saying what you want out of the sessions? Different counsellors work in different ways, so that will be a useful start for you as you know what you want to talk about and what you want from them.

Worth asking how many sessions you should expect - as people are usually funded for a certain number (with a few less or extra if needed), so you can see what you will have time to work with. That can be helpful. For example I was funded for 6-8 sessions a few years ago and therefore the person said it was to work on one specific issue that I had and she was very good at keeping me focused (and if I deteriorated or got better it made no different to the number of sessions I got).I found being focused with number of sessions really helpful for me as I did not waste them. Mine were once a fortnight so helped me process things inbetween and think about what I wanted from next session.

Why not think about all your questions and allow first part of the session to talk about them so that you are confident and can start addressing things straight away?

Hope it goes well for you.

I have just started counselling: had my second session this morning. Well done on booking a counsellor. I know it can take a while to sort it out.

Before my first session last week, I wrote down everything I felt was important, in case I got there and cried too much to talk. I wrote down the reasons that had made me look for counselling; a summary of past problems; and what I wanted to change.

I spent several days editing what I'd written, really getting it to the point. It really helped to focus my head. And when it came to the first session, I found I didn't cry or need what I'd written: I felt very level-headed and could talk easily.

In the first session, my counsellor told me her fees, confidentiality policy, etc, then asked me about my current circumstances/family/work etc. And we talked about my upbringing/family background. After the first session, she had a general picture of things that have affected me and what I hope to change, and had worked out where the main problems lie. Today in session 2, we talked more about the crappy bits of my childhood.

I've come away both times with things to think about. The counsellor is very astute.

I hope it goes well for you on Tuesday. I really recommend writing it all down tonight, then sleeping on it, and re-reading/writing it before you go.