First session

[Coco18-8]

Hi, I just had my first counselling session and idk I just thought I would feel better after it but infact I do not feel better. I feel nothing really, I’m not sure why but I had this vision that all would be better after my first session but I don’t feel amazing. If anything I’m a little upset that I’m going to counseling, ashamed maybe and misunderstood I understand it’s my first session so it will take time for my counsellor to understand me but idk I just feel sad for some reason. Is this normal?

[sbella02]

Hi Coco18-8,

Thank you so much for reaching out.

Counselling should not make you feel upset, ashamed or misunderstood. I remember having my first counselling session and feeling refreshed that somebody had truly listened to what I was saying, and was offering me constructive advice. Counsellors/therapists/psychologists should make you feel safe, heard, and understood, especially considering the potentially sensitive nature of subjects that people raise with them.

However, because it's your first session, I would maybe try having one more before switching to somebody else. Like anyone else, even counsellors can have their off-days, so it may have just been a once-off experience, and you may find that you leave the next session feeling great.

Perhaps have one or two more sessions, then consider changing to somebody else.

I hope this helps! Please feel free to keep chatting to us if you'd like.

Kind regards, SB

[jaz28]

Hi there,

First off, counselling should not be distressing. You SHOULD feel understood and valued, even after your first session.

As for feeling better, this can take time. Healing doesn't occur overnight. Counsellors and therapists tend to work through things slowly and build on each session as you go. Nothing is instant. Patience is key.

Connection with your counsellor is also important. Try a few more sessions and if you still feel misunderstood and upset, I would try switching to a different one.

Stay strong,

Jaz

[mocha delight]

Hi coco18-8 I completely agree with everything the replies you’ve gotten so far and some great advice I was given was that ‘you might have to see a few mental health professionals before you find one you click with’. Although that was not the case for me as the first one I saw I thought I clicked with even after the first session but I still decided to give it a few more sessions with the psychologist to see how it would go. And I’m glad I did give it a few more sessions to see how things would go as a year later (well a year on th the 17th of September this year) and I’m still seeing this psychologist although no official diagnosis yet but she has ruled out me having bipolar but has casually mentioned to me that I have depression (clinical depression), social anxiety and general anxiety. So yes I can definitely tell you that no many how many mental health professionals you have to see that it’s so worth it when you find the right one. And yes I’ve been told it’s not very common to find one you click with right away. I could be wrong so forgive me if I am but it sounds like you’ve not been diagnosed with anything yet and the first few are more like the professional getting to know you, if there’s family history & things that contributed ect ect ect. I was so nervous before my first session that days beforehand I even googled what to expect at your first psychologist appointment or something along those lines which after looking at multiple sites to do with that it helped with the nerve ps a bit.

[Guest_1643]

Hi coco, welcome here.

Sometimes therapy can stir up things inside us and make us feel bad....however, I woild say it isn't great if after therapy u feel much worse. Therapy can't solve or change anything ina miraculous way but at the very least it should give hope and faith...that recovery is possible.

It is OK to change therapists if u continue to feel this way, and to keep exploring other options to feel better. For me it was a combination of things, art, nature, medication and therapy as well as seeking a good support group. I think I thought therapy could help me but was disappointed to find that it was limited, I had to do the heavy lifting. Maybe have a think about what you hope to achieve from therapy.... what kind of support you would like, and see if u can discuss 2ith Ur therapist if they feel they can offer this, and see if u like their answer....

[geoff]

Hello Coco, your first session with the counselling is to establish yourself with them and I haven't known anybody to feel 'cured' after this, and it can be disappointing because we go to this session expecting the magic wand to be cast and everything is so much better.

My first session with a psychologist I had seen for 20 years (workover) ended with me crying while I was trying to talk to her and know how you feel, but if you see them again, let them know how you feel and express this, write it down, plus whatever else you feel is important, this will then make them concentrate and that's important.

Seeing someone new is going to create some type of anxiety, although I'm not a doctor to say, but you are unsure where you should start and this may be not exactly where you want it to, however, if you are struggling there could be many points, but allow your counsellor to get to know you, you can change to another one.

Take care.

Geoff.