{"id":41951,"date":"2022-10-03T14:40:33","date_gmt":"2022-10-03T18:40:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/?p=41951"},"modified":"2022-10-03T14:39:48","modified_gmt":"2022-10-03T18:39:48","slug":"starting-therapy-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/starting-therapy-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Helpful Tips For Starting Therapy (If You&#8217;re Nervous About It)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/starting-therapy-tips\/#5_Tips_For_Starting_Therapy_If_Youre_Nervous_About_Going\" title=\"5 Tips For Starting Therapy If You&#8217;re Nervous About Going\">5 Tips For Starting Therapy If You&#8217;re Nervous About Going<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/starting-therapy-tips\/#1_Look_into_online_therapy\" title=\"1. Look into online therapy\">1. Look into online therapy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/starting-therapy-tips\/#2_Go_with_a_friend\" title=\"2. Go with a friend\">2. Go with a friend<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/starting-therapy-tips\/#3_Do_Your_research\" title=\"3. Do Your research\">3. Do Your research<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/starting-therapy-tips\/#4_Talk_about_your_anxiety_with_your_therapist\" title=\"4. Talk about your anxiety with your therapist\u00a0\">4. Talk about your anxiety with your therapist\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/starting-therapy-tips\/#5_Take_It_One_Step_At_A_Time\" title=\"5. Take It One Step At A Time\">5. Take It One Step At A Time<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/starting-therapy-tips\/#Final_thoughts\" title=\"Final thoughts\">Final thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>Therapy can be incredibly helpful, but there\u2019s no denying that starting therapy can be intimidating. Despite its benefits, therapy is sometimes still stigmatized, and it can feel strange to talk through your emotions with a stranger &#8211; even if that stranger is a licensed professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many people have a lot of anxiety about starting therapy, especially if it\u2019s something they\u2019ve never done before. While this is understandable, <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link \" data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/category\/therapy\/\"  title=\"therapy\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">therapy<\/a> is often the best way for people to work through their problems, understand themselves better, and get the help they need.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It.jpg\" alt=\"5 Helpful Tips For Starting Therapy (If You're Nervous About It)\" class=\"wp-image-41959 lazyload\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It.jpg\" alt=\"5 Helpful Tips For Starting Therapy (If You're Nervous About It)\" class=\"wp-image-41959 lazyload\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It-300x450.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It-750x1125.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It-150x225.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It-480x720.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>5 Helpful Tips For Starting Therapy (If You&#8217;re Nervous About It)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Tips_For_Starting_Therapy_If_Youre_Nervous_About_Going\"><\/span>5 Tips For Starting Therapy If You&#8217;re Nervous About Going<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if you are unsure or nervous about having your first therapy session, you shouldn\u2019t let nerves stop you from taking such an important step. In this post, we\u2019re going to offer you 5 ways to take the edge off your anxiety if you\u2019re thinking about starting therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Look_into_online_therapy\"><\/span><strong>1. Look into online therapy<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Nowadays, there seem to be online options for nearly everything \u2013 and that includes therapy. While some clients enjoy the intimacy of an in-person session, others prefer the convenience of virtual sessions. Clients who struggle with social anxiety and shyness also tend to see virtual sessions as a \u201csafer\u201d option. At least, until they feel more comfortable meeting in person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many benefits to <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/betterhelp-counseling-review\/\"  title=\"online therapy\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">online therapy<\/a>, such as the fact that it\u2019s often more affordable than traditional therapy, and that it\u2019s flexible. With online therapy, you get all the benefits of therapy without ever leaving your home. People often feel more comfortable doing things this way, because they are in a comfortable and familiar environment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While video-call sessions are often a good alternative for in-person therapy, you may even be able to have sessions via a phone call or messenger if that feels more convenient to you \u2013 it\u2019s all about making therapy accessible for you. Have a look at the <a href=\"https:\/\/lifehacker.com\/advisor\/online-therapy\/most-affordable-online-therapy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best online therapy<\/a> options to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ta-image wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a class=\"thirstylinkimg\" rel=\"nofollow rel=&quot;sponsored&quot;\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"BetterHelp Ad\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/recommends\/betterhelp-ad\/\" data-shortcode=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/BetterHelp-1-400x209.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35447 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"209\" src=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/BetterHelp-1-400x209.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35447 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/BetterHelp-1-400x209.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/BetterHelp-1-200x105.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/BetterHelp-1-150x79.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/BetterHelp-1.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><figcaption>Get 10% off your membership by using this link.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Go_with_a_friend\"><\/span>2. <strong>Go with a friend<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, you\u2019re not going to be taking a friend into your therapy session with you, since it should be a private matter, but it can be helpful to have a friend go with you to the therapist\u2019s office and keep you company while you wait. Alternatively, you and your friend can both agree to give therapy a try \u2013 even if you don\u2019t actually do it together, it can be helpful to know that you aren\u2019t going through this experience on your own.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Aside from the fact that having a friend there to support you through therapy is amazing, you should also consider asking your friends to support you in other ways. There are many <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jenniferhmoyer.com\/blog\/2015\/5\/12\/f5b3pgy6hw90fm9dn2tl8l2zclboxy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">benefits of having emotional support<\/a>, so you should work on building up a strong support system.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And of course, if you are in a romantic relationship and you and your partner are having trouble, couples <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/how-to-get-results-in-therapy\/\" title=\"counseling\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">counseling<\/a> can be an ideal way to work through your issues together.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Do_Your_research\"><\/span>3. <strong>Do Your research<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many things seem a lot scarier than they actually are simply because we don\u2019t truly understand them. This is also true with therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Doing some research beforehand can be helpful. You can look at some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/fantastic-mental-health-blogs\/\">mental health blogs<\/a> so that you understand more about mental health and thus have a better idea of things you can talk about in therapy. This way, you can also learn about different types of therapy, which should give you some idea of where to start.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also research different therapists and read their <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link \" data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/category\/reviews\/\" title=\"reviews\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">reviews<\/a> to get a better idea of what they are like and whether they would be a good fit for you. You can even have once-off sessions with a few therapists to see who you think is the best option for you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep in mind that while most therapists should be able to assist you with your problems, some therapists are experts in certain areas.&nbsp; If you need help with one specific thing, it might be helpful to look for a therapist who specializes in that.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are in the market for a new therapist, Psychology Today\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/therapists\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Therapist Directory<\/a> is a good place to start. Many therapists in your area have their own profiles you can read to see if they would be a good match. You can even call or email them if you have specific questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"How to Prepare for Your First Therapy Session\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RiGIvbHpluE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption>How to Prepare for Your First Therapy Session. Courtesy, YouTube.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Talk_about_your_anxiety_with_your_therapist\"><\/span><strong>4. Talk about your anxiety with your therapist\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have started therapy but are still nervous, don\u2019t be afraid to discuss your anxiety with your therapist. You need to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.valueoptions.com\/april06_newsletter\/talking_about_your_feelings.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">learn how to talk about your feelings,<\/a> and there\u2019s no better place to start than in therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember that therapists can seem intimidating and scary, but they are also just people. Even more than that, they are people who want to help you. Your therapist isn\u2019t there to judge you or make a bad situation worse; they are there to do what\u2019s best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Take_It_One_Step_At_A_Time\"><\/span>5. <strong>Take It One Step At A Time<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>People who struggle with anxiety disorders tend to get overwhelmed easily. For anyone new to therapy, it can seem like a daunting process. How long will it take? What will I have to talk about? What kind of emotions will I feel?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How long will it be until I start to feel better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These are all good questions, but to avoid feeling overwhelmed, take things one step at a time. Once you have scheduled your first session, try not to worry about the second or third or fourth visit. Focus on making the most out of your first session. <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/questions-you-want-to-ask-your-therapist\/\" title=\"Ask questions\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">Ask questions<\/a>. Give yourself time to get used to the process. Get to know your therapist. Take some time to see if they are a good fit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Worry about the second session once you\u2019ve completed the first one. Do the same thing with the third session, then the fourth, and the fifth. By then, it will be part of your routine, and you\u2019ll wonder why you didn\u2019t start therapy a long time ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_thoughts\"><\/span><strong>Final thoughts<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you feel nervous about starting therapy, there\u2019s no need to be ashamed. In fact, most people feel nervous when they first start going to therapy \u2013 some just feel a little nervous, while others may be consumed with fear.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anxiety is a normal and natural response to the unknown. It\u2019s just important to remember that anxiety does not predict an outcome, nor is it a warning to avoid that which you are pursuing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Best of luck to you as you start your journey. Trust me, it will be well worth it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-uagb-section uagb-section__wrap uagb-section__background-color uagb-block-540ad93d\"><div class=\"uagb-section__overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"uagb-section__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-call-to-action uagb-block-73105e3b wp-block-button\"><div class=\"uagb-cta__wrap\"><h5 class=\"uagb-cta__title\">Private Practice  with No Overhead and No Shortage of Clients.<br><\/h5><p class=\"uagb-cta__desc\">Join\u00a0the more than 34,000 full and part-time therapists who are earning more with BetterHelp! Supplement your income, or build your own practice from scratch. Bonuses &amp; Incentives for High Performers! <strong>Sponsored Advertisement<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"uagb-cta__buttons\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hasofferstracking.betterhelp.com\/aff_c?offer_id=20&amp;aff_id=1614\" class=\"uagb-cta__button-link-wrapper wp-block-button__link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Join BetterHelp<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many people have a lot of anxiety about starting therapy, especially if it\u2019s something they\u2019ve never done before.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":41960,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","ub_ctt_via":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[781],"tags":[798,789,829,878,358,30,875],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It-2.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Randy Withers, LCMHC","author_link":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/author\/randy-withers\/"},"modified_by":"Randy Withers, LCMHC","uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It-2.jpg",800,450,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It-2-150x84.jpg",150,84,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It-2-300x169.jpg",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It-2-768x432.jpg",768,432,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It-2-750x422.jpg",750,422,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It-2.jpg",800,450,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It-2.jpg",800,450,false],"tiny":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It-2.jpg",60,34,false],"thumbnail-medium":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It-2-480x384.jpg",480,384,true],"thumbnail-square":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It-2-480x450.jpg",480,450,true],"thumbnail-portrait":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It-2-480x450.jpg",480,450,true],"thumbnail-large":["https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-Helpful-Tips-For-Starting-Therapy-If-Youre-Nervous-About-It-2-720x450.jpg",720,450,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Randy Withers, LCMHC","author_link":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/author\/randy-withers\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Many people have a lot of anxiety about starting therapy, especially if it\u2019s something they\u2019ve never done before.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41951"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41951"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41951\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41960"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41951"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41951"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blunt-therapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41951"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}