Acceptance is hard work

[tyme]

I wonder if you wanted to prepare a some notes or something before you see this psych? If there is anything in particular you wanted to share? Sometimes, when you see someone for the first time, you can go with nothing, or you may have things you want to go through to see if they are a good fit for your needs @MissinTooth 

Totally your call. Whatever makes this uncomfortable situation a little more comfy for you.

Yes, I'll be on in the arvo so we can check-in then?

Please take care and I look forward to hearing from you tomorrow.

[MissinTooth]

Hi @tyme 

How are you?

I am starting to get really nervous about my first psych appointment in an hour...

[tyme]

Hearing you hun. Take some DEEEEEP breaths. Is this a face to face appointment or telehealth @MissinTooth ?

It may be helpful when you see the psych to let them know how you feel. It may inadvertantly be help you relax a little.

Is there anything you want to share here as a braindump of what you want to then talk to the psych about?

[MissinTooth]

It's over video call @tyme 

I don't know what to talk about...

I don't feel comfortable going deep into things in my first appointment - with someone I've never met before. I don't feel safe. 

I've even googled what to expect in your first appointment with a psych, and things to talk about. 

I don't know...Google's advice, talk about what challenges you're experiencing and what you hope to get out of the appointments. Ask questions to get to know the psych...(but I don't know what questions to ask). 

[tyme]

Hey hun @MissinTooth , we're sitting with you and holding your hand.

Sometimes, something like this can be a good start:

"This is my first time. I'm feeling quite anxious and I don't know where to start."

Even something like this is enough. Remember to BREATHE!

Breathe in 4

Hold 2

Breathe out 6-8

[MissinTooth]

@tyme sounds like a good place to start. 

Thank you for being here with me. I feel really...vulnerable and unsettled and I don't want to do it...

But I will, because I made the commitment. 

[tyme]

It's a place many of us have been before, but I recognise it doesn't make it any easier for the person going through it!

And when you finish with the session, you have have a big sigh of relief.

You may also want to hold something in your hands to fiddle with during the session @MissinTooth 

[MissinTooth]

I thought of that @tyme 

I've just grabbed my Needoh cube out of my box of fidgets. It's my go-to when I need to have something in my hands. 

[tyme]

Let us know how it goes @MissinTooth . I'm clocking off soon, but I'll read when I'm on next

[Jynx]

Hiya @MissinTooth!! How'd everything go w the surgery? 
And saw you've just done your first psych appt! How you feeling? No rush for you to respond, I know I'm usuallly pretty brittle after psych sessions!!