Experiences with Therapy?

Hey everyone, I've been reading the forums here for a while, although I'm not a big poster.

I had my first session ever with a therapist yesterday. My doctor refferred me to a clinical social worker after 4 months of dose changing on Effexor and Zoloft, and to be honest, it was pretty gruesome.
I had actually been feeling better overall on the medication, but trying to talk about what kind of things has been bothering me over the passed 12 years...I lost it. The therapist tried, of course, to offer encouragement in saying that I had a very treatable disorder and a highly positive prognosis. Although it certainly doesn't feel like it at the moment -- I honestly feel worse than I have in a months after the session.

For those of you who have past or present experience with therapy. Did you ever get to the point of feeling comfortable talking about your problems? More importantly, did it ultimately help?

I feel compeled to reply honestly, but when I do lie he always knows.

hi,the 1st couple of sessions with ne therapist is hard,and it might always be hard if you dont manage to "connect"with that therapist,try your hardest and keep going,but after a while if you dont feel its working try another 1,i think its extremely important that u feel very comfortable and at ease with a therapist

I've been to a hypnotherapist, counsellor and a psychologist. On the whole, I have been pretty comfortable talking about my problems, but like its been previously said, the first couple of sessions are pretty tough- very hard opening up to a stranger who is actually analysing you for real!

On my way home from the sessions, I used to often think along the lines 'What have I done? Did I actually say that out loud?', but those thoughts used to pass fairly quickly. The important thing is not to dwell on what you've said too much :!:

The hypnotherapist didn't do too much for me. I only felt in a trance during the second session, and during one or two others, rather than be in a trance, I fell asleep! :lol: The counselling taught me a lot about my thought patterns and where I could be going wrong in them. It was expensive, but it was a huge relief talking about my everyday difficulties. Although you can get 'dependent' upon it and receive it for years, and there is only so much you can talk about before you start repeating the same things. The psychologist was of some use, but most of the things I was taught, were already in the Dr Richards course I've been doing.

I think all three are certainly worth a shot, and there are quite a few others that may be worth a try too.

i had a course of about 7 sessions with an NHS psycologist. It was great for me as my life has changed for the better since going. First time i was terrified but he was a nice guy and we got on well. We did CBT and it has given me a much improved social life. Time between sessions was quite long, but that gave me time to work on the tasks he set.

I will say if your not willing to do what the professional advises then don't bother going, as its just a waste of every bodies time including yours.