Seeing a psychologist is not always an easy decision, so if you hear that you need to prepare for it, you can push yourself even more. In fact, you don’t need to do anything specific before starting the process of psychological counseling or psychotherapy, you just need to make up your mind. However, if you want to make the most of your time in therapy and know what to expect, there are a few things you can keep in mind.

It can be so difficult for you that the slightest effort, even an imaginary one, seems overwhelming. In such situations, it is natural to get stuck on the idea that something needs to be done before going to a psychologist, when you are completely unable to gather yourself even to solve the smallest everyday tasks. For example, it can be difficult to follow simple rules of personal hygiene during depression. In these cases, it is enough to realize the seriousness of your condition, want to recover and seek help.

But there are also situations when, although you manage to be active and fulfill your responsibilities in the family and at work, you cannot understand what makes life so disappointing and meaningless, and you feel that you need to change something. You may be toying with the idea of ​​seeing a psychologist, but haven’t decided yet. Sometimes this solution takes longer, and that, again, is natural.

In fact, to go to a psychologist, you only need to want and take a step. However, if you want to make your time in therapy more effective, there are a few things you can consider before seeing a psychologist or psychotherapist.

Do you need to prepare for a visit to a psychologist? Not necessarily, but here’s what you can try:

Try to understand what you expect from therapy

Sometimes you know exactly what you want to get when you go to a psychologist, but often you have no idea. You don’t need to have a list of goals when you first walk into the office, because it’s part of a psychologist’s role to help you understand what changes you need to make to improve your life.

However, it is good to think in advance where you would like to go. You are the biggest expert in your life, so the initial part of therapy may take less time.

There are also situations when you go to a psychologist not necessarily on your own initiative, but because your partner, parents, friends insisted on it. And in these cases, even if you did not want to go to a psychologist, but you do it out of obligation, it is important to find personal motivation. Your reasons may be different from those of the person who sent you to the psychologist.

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