Seeking Advice for Seeing a New Therapist

You don't have to open up. You can spend the first sessions evaluating the therapist. They don't mind. They know it's hard to find a perfect match. It's your session, so do what you want to do. They work for you, not the other way around.

So I work as a mental health counselor and I promise you we want to be there to support you and help you feel better. We understand it can be nerve wracking to start therapy or to start with someone new. Just breathe and know that we are there for what you need. We also know you're not going to open up to us right away. I wouldn't open up right away myself and I've been doing this for a while. Just like a friendship, a counseling relationship takes time to build trust as well so just give it a chance with a new therapist and see how it goes. Also know that we won't take offense if you don't feel like we are the right fit and you want to try a different counselor

Following for advice as well. I've never been but I know I need to.

Go in with an open mind and one where you believe they are there to help and not judge. There have been many first sessions where I struggled to open up the first half (which is normal), but rest assured they are there to be helpful. Once I got over the judgement/helping framework, it really made my therapy so much better. I wish you all the luck 💕 let me know how it goes!