Relising i may need help

**UPDATE**

After spending last night here and in the topic chat with you all yesterday and after many many tears last night.

I have booked in to see a therapist on Tuesday.

Feeling very anxious and scared at the moment.

@sara that's great that you've booked into a therapist!

It's very normal to feel anxious and nervous to start with. In fact, I know of very little, probably none actually, that don't feel this way. Usually, during your first session is like a getting to know each other session. I find writing down some points beforehand can help. If you feel nervous on the day, it's ok to let your therapist know too.

Here's some other practical tips to prepare for your appointment. Maybe some our other members can share some advice too...

@shanc Can I ask how got through your first session. Any advice?

@sara

That's good news, i know how daunting it all seems, i still find myself getting stressed before my appointments, whether it be psychologist, psychiatrist, G.P centrelink, pretty much any appointment, i still get stressed, i found what helps me the most, is to write down, questions i have, or even write down what i am thinking, in a sentance, or paragraph, i usually do it a day or two before the appointment, and re-read it and add to it, or change it, and then i refer to it in the appointment, my first couple of appointments, i just gave them the bit of paper so they could read it, and then we went from there. I also found addressing why i am getting anxious helps, like questioning the why am i anxious in seeing this person, and then answering that question. Also i found doing some simple breathing exercises help as well, to level out the stress

hope this helps

Hey @sara

Well done! That is a huge step - and I hope crying gave you some relief, although it can be exhausting emotionally when you have been holding so much. I hope it goes really well. I think @kato has made some excellent suggestions.

Suss out the therapist - see how you feel. It can take a few sessions sometimes to be sure whether you feel you can trust them to work with them and that's ok. If you need to find someone else that's ok too. It is not one-size-fits-all and it is very important to feel you can trust whoever you are working with.

Please let us know how you go (and feel free to keep posting in the meantime!). How are things going with the trauma therapist for your little girl? Do you feel you have a good rapport with your MCHN that you can ask for more info? Some MCHN's can be lovely and some ocassionally seem more akin to dragons!

Kindest regards,

Kristin

Wow well done @sara !

You have been very active and determined in seeking help. That's fantastic. I'm not sure what part of Melbourne or Vic you are in but I have just been connected with Safe Futures (outer East) myself and am finding them so helpful and supportive.

I'm not sure whether they can help you but might be worth giving them a call if you are in their catchment, or even to see if they know of a similar service in your area.