You made your first therapy appointment and although you know it’s a positive step, you may still feel hesitant. To ease your pre-appointment nerves, we asked our friend and Diabetes Late Nite podcast guest, Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport, Psy.D. LCSW aka The Diabetes Psyche, to share three questions she asks during the first therapy session to help clients living with diabetes feel more comfortable with the process.
1. What prompted you to seek therapy now?
Wendy Satin Rapaport Psy D (WSR): This is an important question because we, as therapists, want to understand whose idea it is (parent? spouse?) and what is bringing you, so that we have YOUR agenda. You can always ask us questions too because this is all about you and my goal as a therapist is to make you comfortable in this situation.
2. Up until now, how have you been coping with your diabetes?
WSR: This question allows you to begin to see the original response you had to your diabetes diagnosis and if and how you have changed. The question implies that people change over time. It also asks you to determine your opinion with your assessment – not the family or medical team’s response.
3. Have you ever done therapy before? If so, what parts were helpful and what parts were not? Do you think you will have the courage to let me know when I am helpful or not?
WSR: This series of questions gives the therapist an idea of your acceptance and/or resistance of getting the help and then honors your control over this experience. A therapist is for a resting place, education, and prevention of bad habits and the startup of good habits.
Getting to Know You …
WSR: Before your first session, your therapist will likely request intake paperwork and maybe a questionnaire that asks for your medical history, medications, mental health services, current issues or stressors, an assessment of depression or anxiety, and what you hope to get out of therapy. They may want you to elaborate on them during your initial session. Any of the papers the therapist asked you to fill out so that you begin to think about how you feel as well besides letting your therapist know what’s going on for youAnd if you are not comfortable filling out papers your therapist will understand that as well but remember everything is confidential.
The beauty of a therapist in your life is a chance for it to be all about you in the most loving way. It is like a friendship in part with the promise of complete confidentiality. You do not have to please your therapist. What freedom.
Friendship Matters: memoir, life lessons, laughter by Sandra Neshin Bernstein Psy.D. and Wendy Satin Rapaport Psy.D. LCSW
Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport Psy.D. LCSW has worked as a social worker and psychologist specializing in diabetes for twenty-eight years.
Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport Psy.D. LCSW, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Alexis Gray, Author of the Noodle Shop Mysteries: Vivien Chien, Lorraine and Brooks, Sara (Mandy) Reece, PharmD, CDE guest on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music from Maren Morris.
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