Watch This BEFORE You Start Therapy

Feeling anxious about starting therapy? Don't worry, you're not alone! This video is your ultimate guide to preparing for your first appointment and setting yourself up for success. Whether you're new to therapy or looking for therapy tips, or how to find a therapist or psychologist - this video I will talk you through the things to do before you start therapy. Also, I hear a lot that therapy or psychologists don't work for people, it is likely you may not have the right therapist or psychologist, or your essentially approaching it wrong. Were there any things you did wrong in your therapy journey? Anything that you learned that would be helpful for our viewers? Leave your feedback or tips in the comments!

More related videos:

Here's what you'll learn:
• Misconceptions about therapists: Not all therapists are created equal! Learn what matters most, beyond fancy degrees, and discover the importance of the "therapeutic alliance."
• Finding the right fit: Skip the guesswork! Uncover powerful strategies for choosing the perfect therapist, including free consultations and asking the right questions.
• Setting goals and expectations: Therapy isn't a magic fix, but it can be life-changing. Understand what to expect and how to set realistic goals for your journey.
• Preparing for your first session: Get organized! Create a list of symptoms, practice self-honesty, and discover tools to make the most of your time with your therapist.
• Building healthy habits: Therapy is more than just sessions. Learn how to put your newfound skills into practice and create lasting change in your life.

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Start your journey towards mental well-being today! Share this video with someone who might need it, and leave a comment below with your best tip for preparing for therapy.

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[MsLaurithaa]

This video could not have come at a better timing. I am starting a new therapy and just had the first appointment last week. I lied in the first session, because I was afraid she would not take me on as a patient if I told her the whole truth. Now I am all in my head about how to tell her that I lied and just hoping she will give me another chance. Your words encouraged me! Thanks Kati! I hope you have a great start to your year :)

[CuteCatsofIstanbul]

I've had therapy during a very dark period of my life, it was for free so thankfully money = THE BIGGEST stressor was out of the way, but even though I did feel challenged, my homework taught me a lot, the chats saw me different sides to the issue, the effects were not long lasting. What truly helped was finding a goal in life. A goal that you love being a part of. For me, it is animals. I moved back to Istanbul after a very serious suicide attempt, I remember waking up at 3am on a stormy cold night feeling really low, I went to the living room and saw this stray mama cat bring her kittens to our garden. She and her kittens were soaked ... I put a box out with some towels, she put the kittens in there. I gave her some food and watched them fall asleep. It was like a knock on my head 'forget about your demons, look at these gorgeous beings and help those in need'. For me it is stray cats, for you maybe it is working with children or in a soup kitchen or picking up garbage on a beach or any other volunteer group. Doing something good for others is the best therapy. And walking and dancing and music ... and good wholesome food!❤

[Eco_Hiko]

My tip for therapy is to journal the day of or the day after therapy. I'm a visual person so I went out and bought a new notebook specifically for the task along with matching pens and other stationery to really engage my brain. That journal is where all my homework goes, my reflections on my relationship with the therapist, goals and entries about the EMDR sessions. It helps me not forget (which is part of my problem), grounds me before session when I recap the previous week whilst in the waiting room and helps me get the most out of each session. It's been really helpful and has given me space to access whether or not the therapist is working for me.

[janetslater]

As someone who is in-between therapists right now through an agency, this served as a good reminder. I would also throw in questions like, "How long have you been with X agency?" "Are you planning on staying with X agency for the next X (amount of time)?" In terms of insurance, I would also ask the agency or office if the therapist is already "on board" with your insurance, or what the policy for payment is if the therapist isn't on board with the insurance yet. I know that I personally wanted a therapist that is already "in the clear" with my insurance even before starting my first session, just in case something goes awry.

I am also one that will be very open with a therapist from the get-go. It's basically my way of "testing" them to see if we will be a good fit. I need to see and hear their reaction to me telling them about my trauma, self-harm urges, suicidality, and hospitalization afterwards. If they react in a way that's not comforting to me, then I know we're not going to be a good fit.

[Jkim-rttf]

As a Certified Peer Support Specialist, which is someone with a lived experience with mental health issues and has been trained to help others, I’ve had my peers say they’d rather talk to me, because I get it, I’ve been there. What I have learned through my experience of severe trauma, is that the “right” therapist, and my willingness to let myself feel the pain, instead of running from it, is that - There is not a way out, but there is a way through! I like these videos Kati!

[justanotherjessica]

I watched this video even though I've been seeing my therapist for several years and it was very interesting and eye opening. A lot of our sessions do end up feeling like we're just friends catching up BUT I've also seen some major improvement in my life.

I cut out some toxic people (including going no contact with my father) and I don't think I ever would have had the courage to do that without therapy. It wasn't even something that my therapist suggested, it was just something I decided to do after talking about the people to my therapist. It was a slow realization over several months that my life would be way better without these toxic people in my life.

I think my people pleasing actually works in my favor in this instance because I really want my therapist to be proud of me so I am way more likely to do things that are outside my comfort zone and actually beneficial for me so that I can tell my therapist about it haha.

[indridcold]

What Kati says is true! I can not connect with anybody. I do not think I will be returning to mental therapy. It assumes I am used to speaking to people. I go weeks without speaking to anybody. Therapy is unnatural for me. It was a rather frightening experience.

[Play-All-The-Games]

What a great video. I'm a few years into therapy with my therapist and I've tried to mention some of these points to other people wanting to "get better." It's very validating to hear you saying the therapy is hard work and that not every therapist will be the right one. Those are things my ex-wife heavily disagreed with me about, and both were very much deal breakers for me when it came down to it. I wanted to put the work in. She didn't.

[qiae]

Having gone through my life consistently getting incredibly lucky with the healthcare providers in my life, it really hit me when I wound up with a therapist who wasn't a good fit. I cannot overstate how important that point is, because having the right dynamic can be the difference between healing and harming.

[LittleSunshineKittyCami]

This is really good advice and I wish I had heard this before I started therapy back in 2013. I definitely learned a lot through the process.

[amyjones]

I felt that when you said " not sick enough for therapy " I also feel like I can't make time commitments since I don't drive and work every weekday. Their hours end so early and I can't ask off

[patrickkelly]

wow this lady is super helpful and very relatable

[danielfitzgerald]

Your videos keep popping up on my feed at times when I need to see them. I've been watching your content for about 10 years. Thank you

[Cowface]

My therapist was a victim of her own success, from a client retention perspective. I had a therapeutic goal, I accomplished that goal, and ran out of things to talk about. Will still see her but not sure for how long. Will talk to her about it before I just quit tho. She even taught me how to self soothe. Now my work is in the real world, getting in the reps implementing what I’ve learned. It’s a very exciting time for me.

[celestialcucumber]

You and that shirt are absolutely everything. ❤️

[cristinafrick]

My therapist has been an absolute godsend for me- God please bless her and all of you😀😀😀

[stefaniegoodwin]

I had this one counselor with the vet center and she has no clue how much she helped me understand myself better. I have been looking for someone like her.. but I never do and that's one thing i hate with the va because I've bad so many amazing ones but their workloads are so much and it can be a lot but she was amazing.

[SamanthaBCope]

I don't know if you saw my comment on a different video yesterday but this definitely answered the questions I had thank you so much. Also I wish you were my therapist your videos are so very helpful thank you

[kdkay]

I set up “interviews” with any and all prospective medical specialists.
Here’s my view, I’m hiring/building a highly trained team to help me be the best version of me. I need to ensure I’m surrounding myself with the team that serves MY very specific needs.
I’ve NEVET been told no, when I’ve asked for these appointments.

[Jojomojo]

3:50 so helpful, thank you! I live in a very religious town, and they dont take kindly to people who aren't religious. Ive never thought of just asking the therapists if they pray or talk about religion during therapy. I haven't found a therapist yet but your videos and your book have helped me so much! So grateful for you ❤