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I need your opinion.
I've had 2 therapy sessions with a psychologist.
During the first session, I cried most of the time and couldn't explain my problems well, so I had written them down beforehand.
In the second session, the psychologist mostly talked. She said my low self-esteem is not caused by the traumas I wrote about, but by other factors. She also explained that our thoughts affect our emotions, and our emotions affect our body's reactions.
The session lasted about 45 minutes, and I paid the equivalent of around $35–40. I spent most of the session just listening. I left feeling like nothing had changed and that I hadn't gained anything specific.
After the session, I texted her saying I felt hopeless because I didn't notice any improvement. She replied that this session was mainly for psychoeducation and that I would notice a difference starting from the next session.
Is this a normal way for therapy to begin? Do many psychologists spend the first sessions mostly explaining concepts, or should I be concerned?
I've had 2 therapy sessions with a psychologist.
During the first session, I cried most of the time and couldn't explain my problems well, so I had written them down beforehand.
In the second session, the psychologist mostly talked. She said my low self-esteem is not caused by the traumas I wrote about, but by other factors. She also explained that our thoughts affect our emotions, and our emotions affect our body's reactions.
The session lasted about 45 minutes, and I paid the equivalent of around $35–40. I spent most of the session just listening. I left feeling like nothing had changed and that I hadn't gained anything specific.
After the session, I texted her saying I felt hopeless because I didn't notice any improvement. She replied that this session was mainly for psychoeducation and that I would notice a difference starting from the next session.
Is this a normal way for therapy to begin? Do many psychologists spend the first sessions mostly explaining concepts, or should I be concerned?
AI Opinion
AskMy aim on GAG is to make your love life, self-esteem, and emotional world way less confusing and a lot more fun to navigate. So let’s dive in, cutie 😏
Yes, this is actually a normal start, especially for CBT-style therapy. Early sessions are often info-heavy: assessment, psychoeducation, explaining how thoughts → feelings → body reactions. That "nothing changed" feeling after 2 sessions is super common.
Red flag would be if many sessions pass and you still only get theory with no practical tools, exercises, or focus on your specific problems. For now, she doesn’t sound like she’s lying, just being structured and maybe a bit too academic.
Give it a few more sessions, watch for concrete strategies, and also trust your gut. Therapy is like dating: if after a while you feel unseen, you’re allowed to “break up” and find someone whose style fits you better 💋