Advice

[ex123]

Hello,
I am starting therapy on Monday, and in the first app. does the therapist usually ask questions to get to know why you are there? I ask, because I don't even know where to start explaining why I am there. A different therapist diagnosed me with PTSD, but I can't verbally explain very well what happened to me..so I guess I'm hoping he sorta asks the questions. Also, I just realized today that I can't remember any specific memory from growing up, until my high school graduation which was 6 months ago. Is that normal with PTSD? I was taken out of the abusive situation at age 6, so it's not like I was still being abused for the net ten years, but still can't seem to recall any memories. Thanks!

 

[Suzetig]

You are in control of your therapy and can say as little or as much as you want to - even if the therapist asks you directly about X you don't need to answer if you're not ready to. Remember they're a stranger to you - use the first session to get a feel for them and the way they work and to start thinking about whether you want to work with them.

It's fine to say you aren't really sure why you're there, what you want to gain etc. Also consider whether this is the right time for you to be in therapy, just having a diagnosis doesn't mean you "need" to be in therapy, if things are going ok for you and there are no current issues you want to work on you don't need to go.