{"id":24628,"date":"2014-07-16T13:29:23","date_gmt":"2014-07-16T20:29:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/?p=24628"},"modified":"2016-03-10T14:13:36","modified_gmt":"2016-03-10T22:13:36","slug":"im-nervous-about-starting-therapy-is-that-normal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/faq\/im-nervous-about-starting-therapy-is-that-normal","title":{"rendered":"I\u2019m Nervous about Starting Therapy; Is That Normal?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Find a Therapist<\/a><\/h2>\n\t
\n\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\tAdvanced Search<\/a>\n\t<\/form>\n<\/div>If you are considering therapy, or if you are about to have your first therapy session, you may be nervous, skeptical, or downright frightened about starting. Most people have a natural fear<\/a> of the unknown, which may be contributing to your feelings. These mental health professionals share not only their thoughts on why these feelings are normal, but how beginning your therapy can actually help you overcome them:<\/p>\n

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\n\"TherapistMargaret Nichols, PhD<\/strong><\/a>: It\u2019s not only normal, it\u2019s expected—especially if it\u2019s your first time. In fact, if you aren\u2019t at all nervous, you may be denying or avoiding your feelings!Think about it—on one level, therapy is a pretty strange relationship. You\u2019re expected to spill your guts to a perfect stranger, trusting that they will get you, have empathy for you, and be able to help you cope with the difficult situation that brought you to counseling in the first place. And, you aren\u2019t going to find out that much about the stranger\u2013-maybe ever. It\u2019s pretty weird. On top of that, the things you are spilling about aren\u2019t pretty, not to you anyway. They are things that make you sad, depressed<\/a>, angry, afraid, or anxious<\/a>. Often, these are things that you are ashamed and embarrassed to admit to yourself, much less tell someone else. But, the strangest thing of all is that it works.<\/p>\n

It can be a relief to be able to talk to someone who doesn\u2019t have a stake in the outcome of your life—other than that you achieve your goals and be happy. It\u2019s nice to be able to focus on yourself and not have to worry<\/a> about the other person. It\u2019s comforting to be with someone who is witness to your struggle and who really DOES care about you. People who become therapists have the ability to connect emotionally with others, to develop empathic bonds with them, and to hear about pain endlessly. In fact, we thrive on this kind of interaction and connection. Helping others in this way gives meaning to our lives.<\/p>\n

So, it\u2019s normal to be nervous about therapy, but a good therapist will put you at ease so that even if it is difficult to tell your story<\/a>, somehow you will feel better and more hopeful for having told it—perhaps even a little bit lighter than when you first came in.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"TherapistAndrea M. Risi, LPC<\/strong><\/a>: Many people find it nerve-racking to start therapy, and some people bring up that concern during their first visit. Here may be some reasons for your apprehension:<\/p>\n