Psychologist?

[Vision]

In the next few weeks I'll be going to a psychologist for the first time. I think this will be a good thing but i have no idea what to expect.

The main thing i want to know is id my parents will find out some of the things that i discuss.


If you've been to a psychologist before I'd like to know how often you go and for how many months you've been going. I'd also like to know if you discuss everything with your psychologist.

I would be greatful for any help.

Thanks!

[Lizzie]

I have noticed that each Psychologist is a little different. And plus you live in another country, so often there are different guidelines and regulations. But what I have noticed in America is that the first visit they most just ask you questions about your history. They are very straight forward, so be prepared to give very honest straight forward answers back. Example:

Have you ever self harmed:
Yes
How long:
Five years
Have you ever felt like you had compulsions, things you just had to do:
No
Have you ever though of suicide:
No

And then questions just go on and on. So yes you talk about everything. They are trying to understand all of you in the first visit, and in an hours time that can be quite rushed. So just be honest.
As for the parent rule I have no idea what it is where you live. I know here if they wanted to put a 16 year old child on medication, the parents would have to know, if something was wrong, like they had a mental disorder, the parents would have to know. Also psychologists often like to interview parents as well as the client, because sometimes parents can remember things about yourself that you don’t. Like when I had a major depressive episode when I was seven. I completely forgot about it, but they remembered. And even though I am legally old enough to not have my parents involved. I involved them anyways, my choice.

[BlurrySunset]

Every psychologist is a bit different, as Lizzie said. However you can generally count on the fact that for the first appointment, or the first few appointments, they will just be trying to get to know you and get an idea of your lifestyle. They will more than likely ask you personal questions about self-harm, compulsions, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, etc. Once they have these established, they will probably encourage you to talk freely about any problems you are experiencing currently. This will probably be slightly awkward at first, but if things go well, you might find that it is an immense relief to get such things off of your chest.

The best thing I can say about the parent rule is to ask your psychologist about his policies. I know there is patient-doctor confidentiality, but in my experience, it gets rather iffy when the patient is underage. In any case, if you tell the psychologist anything that makes him think you are a danger to yourself or others, he will tell your parents. Like I said, just ask him at the beginning of your first session, and you can be sure.

As for me, I've been to a psychologist at several different points in my life. I went when I was 8 years old once a week, again when I was 13 every couple of weeks, and now I am at the point where I visit every couple of months. I tell the psychologist nearly everything. There are some things that I just have to work through myself, however. I recommend that you tell your psychologist as much as possible, though. It really does relieve a lot of stress, and it will help you to work through your problems much faster. If you are not comfortable telling him most of your problems, you might want to look into another psychologist. This happened with my brother. He saw a psychologist for a few months and realized that he was not entirely comfortable with him. He is now seeing another one and is doing fine. Good luck with everything!

[Magical Forest.]

Heya,

I've been seeing different psychologists for 5 years. My appointments have ranged from three times a week to once a fortnight, depending on how much support I needed.
I talk to them about anything that may be troubling me, they can only tell your parents things if they think you'll be a threat to yourself or other people, so it's basically confidential.

As for what to expect, they'll probably want to ask you questions about your background, how long you've been feeling bad for, your family, friends and school. On the first appoinment they just want to get to know you and find out what sort of support would be best for you.

Good luck with the appointment!

x

[World]

I've been seeing a clinical psychologist for a year now, and we discuss everything that I'd like to discuss. If you don;t want to discuss something then you don't have to.

I'm under 16, but they still don't tell my parents anything that I don't want them to.
I've found it very beneficial.

I hope it benefits you too xx

[Stephanie]

Hey there Vision.

First of all, congratulations on getting an appointment with a psychologist, that is a really great step forward and I wish you the best of luck with it

As has been stated, some psychologists are different and so we can't guarantee what is going to happen, but I think that what's already been said should be of help to you.

I haven't seen a psychologist as such, but both the counsellor and primary mental health care workers I have seen have initially asked me questions in my first meeting in order to gain some background knowledge and information about you in order to help them understand you a little bit better.
These questions are about your family background, self harm, suicidal ideation and anything else you'd like to state. Most of these questions are straight forward 'yes/no/time period' but there may also be some open-ended questions.

with these people I have discussed everything. I've been scared about telling them some things but since i'm over 16 it's treated with good confidentiality which gives me some confidence. You can pretty much talk about anything you want with your psychologist. It's best that you're as open and honest with them as possible in order for them to help you to the best of their ability.

I have told a couple of professionals about self harm and suicide and they have not told my parents anything at all. They will only be obliged to tell someone if they think you're going to walk out of their office and try and pose a big danger yourself or others. If you're worried about this, talk about it to your psychologist and ask them about their confidentiality policy.

[InSovietRussiaORGASMGotU]

I've seen far too many psychiatrists and about 2-3 psychologists. For me, I don't tell them everything simply because some of it really is not something I want to say unless I'm willing to be tossed in a psychward or police or whatnot, mostly what my fantasies for sadism are.

They may ask if you want your parents to be there when they talk to you, but keep in mind, at some point in time they will talk to your parents (or perhaps a social worker may). This is to get a more complete view of you.

You can ask them not to tell the parents anything, and the psychologists respect that. Due to your age, any tests or medications they legally must ask the parents and tell the parents about the tests and medications.

If you pose a severe danger to others, yourself or both, or cannot take care of yourself, then they are more likely to tell the parents, once again to the policies and laws they adhere to.

The first visit tends to be them getting to know you, the symptoms, your history, etc... . They tend to ask personal questions, however, they have no other way of getting the information other than to ask you.

I've also seen psychologists when they administered personality tests for me, which mostly consisted of them telling me the instructions and I do it myself. Although, there was one where they verbally asked the questions outloud. No guaruntee you'll also get personality tests.

[Vision]

Thanks for all the information

It's really helped

I'll let you know how it goes

If you have any more information for me just let me know

Thanks xx