How do I prepare for a therapy session?

Question

I recently told my OBGYN office that I was feeling really depressed and asked if they had any resources for prenatal depression. Well they referred me to a behavioral health counselor where I am going to have every other week sessions with a mental health therapist. I am happy that I am going to hopefully get help but I am also extremely nervous about what I should even say.
Have any of you ladies received counseling services while you were pregnant? Do I just talk about pregnancy stuff or other things in my life?

Answer

I don't have prenatal depression but I have depression that I s had counseling for and you just talk about things that make you feel that way and try to sort out those feelings. You don't have to talk about the pregnancy but if that's something you feel needs discussion then you tell them. You talk about what's comfortable for you and what helps.

Answer

Any and everything that is making you feel overwhelmed is fair game. Just be honest about how you're feeling, they will help you steer the conversation

Answer

First appointments are usually just getting to know you. They will ask about health history, and home life and things like that.

Every appointment after that you can talk about whatever you want to. The general motto with therapy is that if it's important to you - then it's important period. There is nothing you can say where your therapist will be like "ooookay new subject". You talk about what you want to. Move on when you want to. Or if they bring up something you don't want to talk about - you don't have to talk about it.

Answer

Well, they will probably start off by asking you something like, "what brings you here today?" Just be honest and open about that. If I were you, before I go in, a few days before hand, each day I would sit all by yourself in a room, with your eyes closed and just see if you can pinpoint anyway you've been feeling that has been causing your depression. For instance, are you sad, are you scared, are you feeling alone, nervous, insecure, inadequate? Etc. You basically just want to talk about your feelings when you get there and the goal is to get to the root cause of your feelings so that you can begin healing and resolving them. So getting in touch with your actual feelings ahead of time might be a good idea. This way you can actually talk about those feelings when you get there. They might ask you to tell them about yourself, about your childhood, about your upbringing… Again, just be totally honest and open. Anything that you feel like needs to be talked about, don't be afraid to bring it up. I'm glad you're taking this step for yourself… Hope you're feeling better soon.

Answer

Talk about whatever is on your mind. How you're feeling, don't hold back. The best part of therapy is that you can say what you want without being judged. A good therapist will help guide the session.

Answer

No need to prep really.  They'll guide you. If you really want to, you can make a list of things you feel ate important to talk about it things that are nagging at you.

Answer

We talk about everything and anything. Life, pregnancy, marriage, my overbearing mother in law. My husband actually really enjoys our therapy sessions. They've been a great resource for us.

How do I prepare for a therapy session?

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