Nervous About Starting Trauma Therapy

[FindingMyself88]

Thursday I have my first appointment with my trauma therapist. I know the first session should be much like my one with my regular T, but I'm nervous about the weeks to come and actively working on my traumas.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Well, for now your new T should work on things to make you feel better, ie self soothing, coping skills, etc. I don't think you need to worry about jumping into processing anytime soon as it's important to stabilize at this point.

 

[joeylittle]

It's very, very natural to be nervous. A whole new process is beginning. Try and practice a little mindfulness; don't look ahead to the weeks to come, they aren't here yet. First there is only Thursday, and that is simply a beginning. Thursday is also a ways away. Can you find nice ways to distract yourself between now and then?

 

[Hashi]

It's OK to tell the therapist you're nervous, if you feel like doing that. I always found it helpful to talk with my therapist about how I felt towards therapy - particularly when I was anticipating having to work on trauma. It helped both of us to discuss it and find the best ways to work together.

How you're feeling is understandable. You're doing a good thing, though. I agree with the others - you don't have to rush straight in to trauma work. Take it one step at a time.

 

[maryel42]

It takes a lot of time to build the trust needed to do trauma work. you can't just dive right into the worst of the worst during the first ten minutes of the first session.

I know that for me, I want to do it all at once right away. Otherwise I feel that I'm wasting time and money on just... chatting. Sometimes I feel as though I'm diving into a cold pool. I want to get it over with even though I know it's going to leave me breathless and as though I'm never going to be able to survive it.

Maybe that can be a helpful thought for you? There is the time to get your toes wet and adjust, there's sitting on the edge and easing in, there is the time to hold your breath and flip upside down and stand on your head.

If it's been a while, or it's a new pool, maybe you don't dive headfirst into the water without making sure you aren't diving into the shallow end.

 

[FindingMyself88]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I'm trying to take it day by day, but I know Thursday will be full of questions about my past and that's never fun. This T also does EMDR so that will probably also be in my future.

 

[pink.sunflower]

What does a trauma therapist do? How are they different from a regular therapist?

 

[Hashi]

@pink.sunflower, I'm going to respond in your introduction thread since I don't want to take this one off topic. :)

This T also does EMDR so that will probably also be in my future.

If you do - and it's your decision - there should be quite a lot of initial work on safety and grounding.

Hope it goes well for you on Thursday.

 

[cherryblossom]

@pink.sunflower

https://www.myptsd.com/threads/what-is-a-trauma-therapist.16495/

 

[FindingMyself88]

@Hashi I have talked to my other T about it and I think once I have built a relationship with this therapist, I will give it a try. I am willing to do anything at this point to stop the flashbacks and nightmares.