Pretty simple question... although I feel sort of awkward posting it. Well, very awkward, actually.

I'm finally getting the psychological help I've been avoiding and putting off for about four years. Anxiety disorders and suspected depression, mostly.

Unsurprisingly, I feel anxious about it. I've never done anything like it and I'm just nervous and uncomfortable and have no idea what to expect. My appointment is next month, which is a double-edged sword... on one hand it gives me more time to mentally prepare, and on the other, it gives me a huge opening to just back out and cancel.

To anyone who has undergone counseling/seen a psychologist: what can I expect of the sessions? What's typical?

Take a moment to relax, in the end this all could be very helpful and enlightening for you. I went to a counselor for half my teenage years and though in the end I decided I didn't need it there are A LOT of people who get help from it. Now it is going to be awkward and I say that because you basically have to dig down deep and share things you probably have not told anyone...ever. But by sharing them your counselor/therapist can get a better feel of you and can decide the best way to treat you either through medication or more counseling sessions. You also should really consider if you and your counselor/therapist 'click', by this I mean do they make you feel more uncomfortable than they should and do they try and force you to share, NO counselor should force you to share things until you are ready unless there is a HUGE HUGE chance you are going to harm yourself or others. A good counselor/therapist also will let you share your opinion or thoughts on certain situations in your life and not tell you that you are wrong or stupid, they will also share their opinion and help you to try and understand why you feel the way you do or why you do certain things. After a few sessions you need to take the time to see if it is working out for you by seeing this specific counselor/therapist and if you agree with whatever treatment you begin to receive. It may take a few times to find the perfect fit with someone but when you do the results will be fabulous.

I did this exact same thing not too long ago! It's really nerve-wracking at first, but the person you're going to see will probably just dive right in and allow you to kind of talk about yourself, or will ask your some simple questions just to open up. The lady I was seeing was a very good fit for me, so I eventually stopped seeing her, but they're there to help you - not to put you more on edge. And it's important to remember that.

I'm glad you're going to get help ❤

Sorry for the lateness of this response.

I see what you're getting at. The person I'm seeing is supposedly an old friend of my parents that I haven't met yet: he ordinarily works as a child psychologist, so I'm told he has a bright and approachable demeanor. We'll see how it goes, but I hope it's a "fit", as you say.

I'll certainly try to keep that in the forefront of my mind, hahah. Yes, it's supposed to help. I don't even know why mind is gravitating to negative assumptions and worry... Maybe it's just the realization that although they're professionals, they're ultimately still human, and all humans judge. Well, hopefully all goes well... And thank you for your sentiments. :)

I know it's been a couple of days since anybody's posted here, but I hope your appointment goes well (or if I'm too late, did go well). I remember your post in that insecurities thread, and I connected with that so much but I didn't know what to say about it... Eh, I'm personally dealing with some self-worth issues and I feel like I should seek professional counseling once I get the time and privacy.

Enough of me. Sorry I don't have advice, but anyway. Even if all humans judge, the human you're going to see is there to help you. I wish you the best!

Haha, thank you very much... I appreciate the sentiment. I'm at a point where even a stranger's kind sentiment actually means a great deal, because I lead such an isolated and solitary life.

If that's the case, I fully empathize with you. If only issues of self perception and worth were so easy...

I finally have the date, I'm seeing him this Saturday and I'll just post a quick "how it went" here, just to get it all off my chest. And once more, thanks for the well-wishes, and the advice. I'll try to forget about the judgement-related reservations.

I myself have depression and yeah, it was scary at first but I found having moral support helped. I took my friend with me to give me some strength. In general they'll just ask you how you feel on a day to day basis, in my case answer a simple questionaire that relates to my behaviour and how I feel. If they deem it necessary they'll ask you to see a counsillor (I didn't go for long) and give you some medicene if necessary. It may be scary, but it's for you and it's worth it! :)

It's very funny what a stranger's sentiment can do, especially when you realize they're another human. Alright, don't flip out before Saturday then, lol! Again, I wish you the best!

I hope everything goes well for you :) For the first session or two, my counselor was just asking me questions like what are my interests/what kind of movies i like/ all little type of things so she could get to know me better. They usually do not jump right into things because they understand that would make situations uncomfortable xD

I've seen quite a few psychologists in my past, and I can tell you they're not as scary as you think. At first i'm sure he'll just sit down with you and chat, and may ask exactly what you have trouble with. If he asks you what kind of symptoms you have, just remember he's here to help you.

And remember, if you see this guy and you end up not liking him, you can always find someone else. Don't be afraid to do so. I feel a lot of people don't realize that. But he should be very helpful to you and I really do hope your appointment goes well!

god, i know, it was horrifying to me at first. i backed out twice before finally going. but after i began to calm down about opening up to a stranger, it was actually extremely pleasant. normally he/she will ask you about your self; what kind of dreams you have, about yourself, you know, the run-of-the-mill type of things. after that, they take off on those things to help get to the root of whatever seems to be bothering you; being blunt about it reaaallly helps a lot, actually. even after just one session, it feels incredible to know someone listened to your rambling.