Top Tips That Will Make It Easier to Talk to an Anxiety Counselling Therapist
Talking about your anxiety and the triggers that set off your fears will constitute a big part of your anxiety counselling sessions. If you have social anxiety, opening up to a therapist may not be the easiest thing. The good news is that you can work through this and get the most out of your sessions. Some of the tips that can help you overcome this challenge include the following.
1. Find a Therapist Who's a Good Fit for you
It is a lot easier to open up if you feel comfortable around your therapist. A warm and friendly counsellor will always find a way to make you feel relaxed and comfortable. Sometimes, it has nothing to do with the counsellor's demeanour, but because of age, sex, and other attributes. If, after some sessions, you still feel like your therapist is not a good fit for you, then feel free to change therapists. Trying to stick it out with a counsellor you are not comfortable with may only increase your anxiety, defeating the whole purpose of you going for the counselling sessions.
2. Write It Down
The first few sessions may be especially difficult, as you work on building rapport with your new therapist. If you are convinced you can work with a particular therapist, then go ahead and take baby steps, which include writing down your thoughts. Over time, you can progress to a verbal exchange. You can always write a letter explaining why you are in anxiety counselling. The therapist may also give you a journal to write down the thoughts you may have in the time between sessions. A professional therapist will accommodate and can work with this form of expression.
3. Hear From Others
You'll benefit if you could hear what has worked for others in your situation. You'd be able to learn some tips and tricks that helped them overcome the anxiety around opening up to a therapist during anxiety counselling by joining a peer support group. You don't have to say anything, but you can benefit from listening. Apart from the support groups, you can also talk to those in your circle, be it friends or family, who have gone through the anxiety counselling journey.
Communication is everything. The outlined tips, among others, will help you find your voice so that you can openly speak to your counsellor and get the most out of each session. Contact anxiety counselling services to learn more.