New to Therapy? Here’s What to Expect from a Black Therapist
Reaching out to a therapist or counselor for the first time can be a daunting experience. First, you need to find a therapist that fits your needs, but that’s only one step in the process. Once you get there, will they make you talk about your childhood? Will you have to expose trauma you’re not ready to share? In the Black community, many people - especially women - have turned to their pastors or other members of the church to help with life struggles. However, as the world has become more complex so have our problems. This is especially true for Black women who may be the first in their family to work in a corporate job or have a healthy relationship, while still being expected to take care of everyone at home. These modern problems require modern solutions. Here are some tips on how you can make the most of your first therapy session.
Make a List
Although it’s not required, making a list of the problems you’d like to tackle with your therapist can be incredibly beneficial. What are you struggling with at work, at home or in your romantic life? It’s helpful for your therapist to have an idea of which part of your life you’d like to focus on so that your time together is well-used. Most of the time, people seek therapy for one problem, but they’ll learn later that the problem is really something else.
Be Prepared for Paperwork
When you first meet your therapist, you can expect some background questions regarding your medical history, previous counseling experience, family history of mental illnesses, etc. It’s possible your therapist will ask you to complete an intake form either in person or online before your session. These intake forms help screen for anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns. And although needed for medical purposes, the fear of hospitalization can understandably scare people away from the idea of therapy. This becomes two-fold when some Black Americans are afraid to begin therapy for fear of being “locked up” or “put away.” Don’t worry though, the goal of this intake form is not to “label” you in any way. Instead, it’s a guide for your therapist to understand what you may be struggling with and how to use the innate tools you have to support your mental wellness journey.
Setting Goals
There are two goals for your first meeting with a therapist. The first is to get a sense of the therapeutic relationship you might have with the therapist - and vice versa. Remember: sometimes it takes a few different therapists before you find the right fit! Just like in life, building a relationship with your therapist requires both parties to be committed to the end goal. Speaking of, the second goal of this first meeting is to establish a treatment plan. An experienced therapist should know whether your presenting issue is within their scope of competence. Together, you and your therapist will develop a treatment plan including the frequency of sessions, what treatment modalities will be used, and when goals will be re-evaluated. Although the plan and your goals can change, it’s helpful to have an idea of what topics your therapist wants to focus on first.
Expect Emotions
You can expect to feel a lot of emotions during and after your first session. After all, this may be the first time you’ve shared your personal struggles with anyone out loud. It’s common to feel nervous, anxious, tearful or even angry. Although it may take some time to build a trusting relationship with your therapist, the goal is for your therapist to be a safe, non-judgmental space. You should begin to feel lighter and relieved after multiple sessions - and possibly after the first one!
Do Research
Every therapy experience is different depending on the therapist. However, it’s important to find a therapist that understands the specific struggles you are facing including racism and prejudice, especially in the workplace. Seeking a Black therapist who innately understands the microaggressions and culture that may have influenced your mental health helps you attack your goals with passion.
At the end of the day, please remember that regardless of the therapist you choose, under the legal and ethical guidelines of the APA (American Psychology Association) as well as any state laws, all mental health professionals are required to maintain confidential records at all times. Even the fact that you have spoken to a therapist at all remains confidential.
If you are interested in services from the Myers-Galloway team, please review our FAQ page for any other questions you might have. You can also email us at hello@myersgallowaycounseling.com. We look forward to seeing you soon!
