Introduction
Deciding to start therapy can feel like a big decision.
You may have been thinking about it for weeks, months, or even years. Perhaps you know exactly what you want help with, or perhaps you simply know that something doesn't feel quite right. You might feel anxious about talking to someone you don't know, unsure whether therapy is “for you”, or wonder whether your problems are significant enough to seek support.
There is no right reason to start therapy.
Sometimes, the hardest part is simply making the first contact.
You don't need to have everything figured out
One of the common misconceptions about therapy is that you need to know what you want to talk about before you begin.
You don't.
Therapy can be a place to slow down and begin making sense of thoughts, feelings, experiences or patterns that may have become difficult to understand on your own.
You might arrive with a specific concern, such as anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties, confidence or feeling overwhelmed. Or you may simply have a sense that you are stuck and want to understand why.
Together, we can begin where you are.
What happens in your first session?
The first session is an opportunity to start getting to know one another and to talk about what has brought you to therapy.
You may talk about what has been happening recently, what you would like to change, and what you hope therapy might offer you. There is no expectation that you have to tell your whole story immediately.
Therapy is a process. Trust takes time, and you should have the space to move at a pace that feels manageable for you.
It is also an opportunity for you to decide whether the therapist feels like the right person to work with. Feeling comfortable, listened to and respected matters.
What if I don't know what to say?
That's completely okay.
You don't need to arrive with a perfectly prepared list of problems.
Sometimes the first words are simply:
“I don't really know where to start.”
That can be a perfectly good place to start.
A therapist can help you explore what is happening without judging you or expecting you to have all the answers.
Therapy isn't about being told what to do
Therapy isn't about someone giving you a list of instructions for how to live your life.
Instead, it can provide a space to explore your experiences, understand yourself more deeply and consider different ways of approaching things.
Sometimes that means looking at patterns that have developed over time. Sometimes it means making sense of difficult experiences. Sometimes it means finding a way forward when you feel stuck.
And sometimes, simply having somewhere you can speak openly and honestly can make a difference.
Taking the first step
Starting therapy can feel uncomfortable, particularly if you're used to managing everything yourself.
You might wonder whether things are “bad enough”. You might worry about being judged or feel nervous about opening up.
You don't have to wait until you reach breaking point before asking for support.
Therapy can be a space to pause, breathe and begin to understand what is going on beneath the surface.
You don't need to know exactly where you're going before you take the first step.
If you're considering therapy and would like to talk about whether it might be right for you, you can arrange an initial conversation with The Balance Practice, offering counselling and psychotherapy in Blackheath and online.
Sometimes, the first step is simply saying: “I think I need some support.”