How to Prepare for a Session

Sometimes it is hard to know what to expect from a counseling session. There is worry, anxiety and fear meeting someone for the first time and share about your history with mental health and other concerns.

Here is a list to help make your session more productive:

1. Write down your symptoms- to make your session less stressful write down the symptoms you are having and some examples of it to share with your counselor. This helps you to remember what you are experiencing and helps your counselor diagnosis.

2. Write down you past and current medications-even though a counselor does not prescribe medications. it is helpful for them to know if you are taking medication to manage your symptoms.

3. Write down your Primary Care Providers and psychiatrist-a counselor needs to know your providers in case there needs to be communication with them about your care. A release would be signed by you in order for a counselor to communicate with them.

4. Write down questions you have.- it is a good practice to ask questions about your symptoms and anything else that is on your mind.

5. Know what your goals for counseling is and if you want help with specific skills, such as anger management, coping techniques.

6. Focus on why you scheduled the session-a counselor will ask you multiple questions, give you feedback and conversate about your concerns. It is important that you make sure that your concerns for the session are addressed and inform your counselor if you need to talk more about any topics.

7. Report to your counselor if you find the techniques and skills are not working, to discuss other options.

8. Report to your counselor if you are having suicidal ideation or want to harm others. It is important to be honest with your counselor about this. Your counselor will assess your thoughts and determine the next steps if you need to be hospitalized.

9. Accept feedback as a way to continue processing your concerns. Feedback is essential to process further and to increase awareness of your thoughts

10. Make sure you schedule follow-up appointments. In order to get more comfortable with your counselor, keep scheduling appointments to build rapport.