If you're feeling anxious and determined to get the most out of therapy from the start, it can be really helpful to prepare ahead of time for your first appointment. In any case, the first session is a huge step towards improving your psychological state. The following guidelines will help you prepare for your first therapy session:1. Don't just follow recommendations. Because the therapeutic relationship is one of the most important indicators of success in therapy, it is best to do some preliminary research and choose a therapist who has direct experience with your problems. Although a friend or loved one may know and suggest someone as a specialist, make sure that they specialize in what is bothering you.2. Decide "Why" You Need Therapy A common question psychologists ask when first meeting a client is what brought the client to therapy. The client's goals help the therapist outline a plan for what the therapy sessions will include. Make a list of your symptoms, including anxious thoughts, difficult emotions, maladaptive behavior, past traumatic experiences, current stressful situations and triggers. While you don't necessarily need to formulate a detailed list of your problems and goals, understanding the main reason you are seeking help will help you feel prepared for your first consultation with a psychologist. To define and express your "why" and what you want to get out of therapy , reflect and write down your thoughts. The process might look like this: Take 10 or 15 minutes to think about the goals of therapy. Choose a quiet, comfortable place where you will not be disturbed. Have a notepad and pen specifically for therapy. Make the process as comfortable as possible, for example, by drinking a cup of tea. Play music or write in silence, whichever helps you think. Focus on your end goal first: how do you want to feel, think, and act after working with a psychologist? You can use a brainstorming technique by freely writing down everything that comes to mind and then organizing your ideas. Then write down what is stopping you from feeling that way right now. If you take the time to decide what is important to you, it will will give you and your therapist a strong starting point for getting the maximum benefit from your therapy.3. Make a list of topics to discuss Your first visit to a psychologist can feel awkward. After all, you're meeting with a stranger to discuss things you might not feel comfortable talking about. Make a list in your journal of the topics you might want to discuss at your first meeting. Where to start? Problems you are currently facing that you would like to discuss in future sessions (mentioning topics in advance will help the therapist plan the content of future meetings). Recent changes in yourself or life circumstances that prompted you to seek help. Help you have already sought to help you feel better. Information about your personal background (your marital status, significant events, etc.). How long you have been experiencing your current difficulties (for example, if you have social anxiety, do you have it? you for years or did it arise not so long ago?).4. Openness and Honesty in Your Relationship with Your Psychologist Keep in mind that honesty is paramount to the success of therapy. In order for your specialist to help you, he must know what is happening to you. He shouldn't criticize you. He chose his profession to help people improve their mental health and well-being, rather than make things worse. Your psychologist will likely emphasize confidentiality. All professionals have an ethical responsibility to protect the information you share with them. Except in a few rare circumstances, such as if there is a threat that you may)