[LittleFish]

- How did you get help?

My mom set me up with a counselor after I came into her room having an anxiety attack one night. It wasn't really my choice, but I went along with it willingly.

- What happened on your first appointment?

Mostly she just asked me why I was there and got to know me. We didn't get into anything heavy or serious. Before I left, she gave me a few tips on coping with stress and anxiety. That was about it.

- How often are / were your appointments?

They used to be like once a month because of my dad's work schedule. Now we're trying to do them every other week.

- How long did they last?

They usually last about an hour, sometimes longer if necessary.

- What advice can you give to anybody that is anxious about visiting a counsellor / their first appointment?

It's not as bad as it sounds. Honestly. They are not going to sit there and make you tell them all of your secrets. And because of confidentiality laws, they can't tell ANYONE anything you tell them unless they believe you're a danger to yourself or other people. This is going to sound mean, but you just have to suck it up and get it over with. Let them ask the questions, and answer if you feel comfortable. They aren't going to pressure you to tell them everything, and they understand it isn't easy to talk about some things. It may not be pleasant to talk about them, but then, whatever you're going there for probably isn't too pleasant either. Just show up for the appointment, answer as many questions as you can, be honest, and you'll be okay.