So, you have attended a few therapy sessions and after the initial intake process it is starting to feel a little more difficult to identify talking points. Sometimes you notice that you walk in the door feeling scattered, disconnected, or unsure of where to begin. Maybe you aren’t quite ready to explore certain areas with your therapist. No matter where you are in the process, preparation for your therapy session can help you feel more grounded and present in the experience. Preparing for a therapy session can help you make the most of your time with your therapist. Here are three simple ways to prep yourself for session (that do not include identifying exact topics for processing).

How to Prepare for Your Therapy Session

By taking these steps, you can approach your therapy session with greater focus and clarity, and make progress toward your personal growth and healing goals.

1. Eating

Yes, this is prep work! When we are hungry it can feel hard to focus and stay grounded which can affect processing in session. Be mindful of your appointment time. Can you make yourself a nice meal beforehand or is it more of a grab-and-go snack? Hydration fits into this concept as well! How is your water intake during the day? I even encourage clients to bring food and water to session if that is comfortable.

2. Rest

Our schedules have picked up over the last few months and we are all working to adjust to increased busyness. Rest before a session can calm our nervous system and allow a break from any previous tasks. And as a reminder, rest can include activities other than sleep! Laying down for 10-15 minutes, taking a slow intentional (or short) walk, or even listening to music in your car are all ways to relax the body and mind.

3. Journaling

This is an activity that can fit into your therapy experience in a variety of ways! Oftentimes clients will journal after their session to make notes or expand on talking points, organizing their thoughts and identifying ongoing goals. However, by practicing free-writing before session, you can start warming up your voice and release some of your day, clearing the way for increased focus.

Important reminder: you are not obligated to identify exactly what you want to talk about in session. Often, not having a specific plan can lead to conversations you didn’t even know you needed! These tools are just another way to incorporate consistent pre session self-care into your practice.

If you are ready to start your therapy journey, check out more information about our team here! We now have offices in Dallas and Austin.

Authored by: Rachel Tweed, LPC