What to expect when finding help for your mental health

A lot of people want to seek help for their mental health problems, but struggle with making the first move. They think about going to a psychologist or psychiatrist for months or even years, before they actually dare to book an appointment. That hesitation can often come from uncertainty and unpredictability of the process. What can I expect? What will happen there? What will they ask? Will it be awkward? Are my problems big enough? Will they take me seriously? These questions are all very common. In the following text you can find a little bit about what to expect when finding help for your mental health.

Where should you start? The honest answer is that there is no single correct entry point. Think about whether you are looking for a psychologist, psychiatrist or a psychotherapist. If you don't know the differences between them, check out our other posts.

The first meeting with a MH professional is rarely what people expect. It’s usually closer to a conversation. 

You’ll be asked questions about what brought you there. Sometimes the question is straightforward: “What made you decide to come now?” Sometimes it’s more open: “Tell me a bit about what’s been going on.” Being asked an open-ended question might make you nervous, especially if its your first time talking about something. Keep in mind there is no wrong way to answer, and no pressure in getting everything exactly right. 

The person will probably also ask about different areas of your life like work, relationships, sleep, stress, health, and family background. They are trying to understand the context around the problem, as well as your life around it. Of course, talking about personal struggles can bring up strong emotions. Some people cry, feel uncomfortable, or struggle to find the right words. Once again, there is no wrong way to answer, as well as no wrong way to express your emotions. Both silence and big bursts of emotion happen sometimes. Psychologists are used to it. They might ask a question, reflect something you said earlier, or simply give the conversation space to develop. You don’t need to arrive with a perfectly organized story. Half-formed thoughts are part of the process.

Furthermore, you can also expect questions like: “Have you spoken to anyone else about this? How long has this been happening? What have you tried so far?” The goal of the first session is understanding. BTW, if you’ve seen a psychiatrist in the past, it’s very helpful to bring a copy of those records.

You may also be handed psychological questionnaires or tests. These tools help identify patterns in mood, thinking, behavior, or personality that might not be obvious from one conversation alone. When taking these tests please be aware that no one is judging you. These tests are instruments in finding more about you, and it is important that you answer honestly and to the best of your ability. 

Of course, not every meeting will be the same, but they usually follow this format. 

Depending on the approach, modality or profession of the person you are talking to, the first session can focus on different things. This also varies depending on the country where you are from. Some professionals focus on patterns in thoughts and behavior while others work more with emotions, relationships, or past experiences. Also, there are a few common myths worth clearing up. Psychologists don’t read your mind. They don’t secretly judge you. They don’t force you to talk about things you refuse to discuss. A good MH professional also doesn't lecture you or tell you how to live your life. If you are experiencing resistance in the health care system, or are struggling, we recommend checking out our post Navigating resistance in the MH system.

The first step tends to feel bigger than the actual experience. Once you sit down and start talking, most people realize something simple: it’s a conversation. Just a very focused one, with someone trained to help you look at things from angles you may not have considered before.

We hope this text made you feel a little bit more informed about what to expect when finding help for your mental health. If you are still uncertain, you can contact a mental health professional in your area directly and ask anything that was left unclear. Good luck. You got this!