If there's one thing I found out in therapy was that therapy should be a service available to all people of the world without exception. We tend to imagine therapists' offices as exclusive rooms for people with severe mental illness, but actually, anyone, with or without trauma, with or without mental illness, will come out winning if you care, even if "only" for the sake even self.

Knowing yourself is a much more complex task than you can imagine, and if you desire to find out what's behind some of the traits of behavior, fear not: make therapy. Before a professional look that fits with the most comfortable method for you (cognitive behavioral therapy, Jungian analysis, analytic psychotherapy, supportive therapy etc.) and venture for their pains and delights without fear.

If the question is what to expect from the first encounter with the almost mystical figure of the therapist, follow these steps, which were listed by Marissa Miller, in a publication of The Huffington Post. It basically showed what you can expect from your first query:

1 - You will talk a lot

Talk is key.

Just like on a first date, the first therapy session requires that you submit, you talk about your life, your family, your childhood, your present, your social and romantic relationships and basically, what comes to your head .

For the therapist do the hard work of analyzing your personality and, from there, suggest exercises for you to improve in some respects, this professional will need to know you very well. Talk is what you will do more while doing therapy, but also not worry too much about "rehearsing" speeches - you can even know about what subject will talk, but in time to open his mouth, everything will flow naturally and spontaneously.

Many people do not feel comfortable in this position, obviously. If this is the case, some breathing exercises can help. Moreover, you can wait as long as it takes before you start talking and it is not obliged to talk about some issues if you do not want.

2 - Ask questions also

You said Freud?

Ask your therapist what is the line that he follows and, in addition, ask what are the methods he uses with his patients. If you go to therapy to solve an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), for example, perhaps the best is cognitive behavioral line; Now if you are looking for a deep knowledge about yourself, Jungian analysis, which is what I do (kiss, Rita!), is a wonderful choice.

Always keep in mind that therapy is not a miracle, and will take a while until you start to realize the practical changes that this type of exercise will have on your life, but once that happens, it's really liberating.

3 - You do not like the therapist at the first stroke

It happens. I, for example, met two other therapists before finding Rita, which is the therapist who had more connection - or transfer, in psychological terms. If you suddenly did not like or therapist who met, give one more chance, go to another session, and if the lack of "chemistry" persists, look for another professional.

What really is not recommended is that you spend months in therapy with someone who does not even like. It makes no sense and the effects will be much smaller and take longer to be seen, has no doubts.

4 - therapy can cost more than you think

That's the boring part of the therapy - in my opinion, the only. Obviously we are talking about a service and, once it is done by a qualified professional, it is fair that there is a price to pay. The "problem" for some people is that sometimes the therapy needs to be done at a higher frequency - once a week, for example - and then pay the price of a particular session can not fit into your budget.

If this is the case, talk to your therapist and see if there is a way to solve the problem - reduce the number of sessions, for example. which is independent of the situation and the solution, it is essential that your therapist is aware of your financial situation, if the thing is becoming unsustainable. If you have health insurance, you can check for professionals who meet through him. Another option is to seek free care in educational institutions that have the course of Psychology.

5 - There is not much reason for you to feel nervous

Relax!

We even compared the conversation with the therapist with talk of a first date, but the comparison stops there. With the therapist, there is no reason to be nervous: this professional is analyzing you, yes, but is not making judgments. Psychological analysis goes far beyond "right" and "wrong", "good" or "bad" and any other aspect that might make you afraid or uncomfortable.

There is no reason for you to feel pressured. Remember that, drink some water, breathe deeply and slowly, listen to your favorite music, do something that leaves you more relaxed and think: many people would like to be in his place, and doing therapy is an amazing process by which all one should go at least once in life. If you are taking this chance, take it.