First therapy appointment

[iamfred2]

I have an appointment next week with a new therapist. I am scared to be starting over. Do I immediately tell the new therapist everything? Do I start off telling her I am a cutter and have been struggling with the idea of cutting again? I have often felt suicidal lately which is what got me to start going back to therapy. Do I tell her that I feel this way right away?? I am so scared of being sent to a mental ward in the hospital. I know I desperately need help but just don't know how open I should be on my first appointment.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!

[Sentient Treacle]

It's perfectly reasonable to be scared about starting over, starting is often one of the hardest steps of therapy I think.

I honestly think you should tell her things at your own pace, when you feel comfortable saying so, which by no means means you should play down your issues, but I doubt that she will expect you to come out with very much on your first session anyway. I imagine she'll ask you why you've felt you needed to return to therapy and then you could mention the suicidal urges if you felt comfortable, or if not you could just state that you're having a very hard time at the moment. She might even ask specific questions such as if you do self-harm or feel suicidal which might make it a bit easier to answer.

If it helps, think back to when you used to have therapy and try to remember your first session there.