Making an appointment with a psychologist: a little help?
Hello everyone who reads, I need to book an appointment with a psychologist and (it's a bit stupid i know) i need help in writing an e-mail...!
I am already an anxious person... so having to make an appointment and to a psychologist really is troubling me: I cannot ask for help to anyone I know simply because no one knows I decided to try therapy: maybe I'll tell them after i started therapy.
So, I basically opted for the e-mail because I absolutely wouldn't make it via phone: but I don't know what to write! I don't know how to start it, how to introduce myself and the reasons for which i'm writing the e-mail... i don't know how much formal it should be, or what information about myself should i give them, i reckon i should probably give them some reference to contact me. Just to give you some more inputs, I'm actually trying to contact a university counselor, so the service should be free.
Yep, this is silly, but i'd like to have some examples and suggestion on which to work on (just writing here had been a challenge). (I hope this was the proper place to ask for this)
Thanks to everyone who will eventually answer, 7cups is really an amazing community :)
@redfriend8283
Hi There! I have never really had any experience in this, but I want to tag a friend of mine who would really be helpful in this, @RocketsMom She will definitely be able to give some more insight on what you should include there :)
Hey there! Nothing is silly, it's normal to feel anxious about this. Have you thought of perhaps seeing the psychologist in person or maybe talking to secretary? It might help ease the anxiety a little bit, but if this is something that might cause anxiety then perhaps just introduce yourself, write a summary of what has been going on lately?. Don't worry you don't have to write a long essay about it or provide lots of information, just provide the information you feel comfortable. :)
@redfriend8283
hi there, if you're contacting a University counsellor, I don't think you really have to go too in depth in your e-mail. Basically tell them that you need some help with a problem and would like to make an appointment to speak with him/her......if you wish you could give a short summary of what you're dealing with. Personally I'd keep the request short and to the point. I. Sure the counsellor would be more than happy to assist you.
Brian
i agree with @Brian737 just give them basic info and that you're looking for help. it's a really big step to ask for help, so being anxious about it is normal. the first time i went to a "shrink" i was scared out of my mind. i actually rescheduled the appointment twice. if you want, you can go into a little detail about what you're struggling with, but from my experience with phone appointments, they've wanted me to start at the beginning once i got in there in person anyway.
p.s. my first experience with a therapist was with a university counselor and they were very understanding. they are familiar with the stresses of university life, sometimes more so than other psychologists/psychiatrists who are more distanced from their own experiences as a student.
Here is, in full with personal information redacted, the exact email I sent to my current therapist:
"I'm in <name of city> and need help with depression. I have had past therapy using CBT. I've done fairly well for several years but am struggling again. Would it be possible to make an appointment in <my city>? Thanks."
It's not an audition for you... just let them know what you need!
Of course, you ideally want to figure out what a good fit might be - what is their therapeutic orientation, etc. But that is what you can do in a first appointment or phone consultation.
I should add... I had a few therapists that didn't work out; the first one that really helped I got because my wife was calling for me, and whoever she called asked why I wasn't calling. And she said because I was too afraid to call... the therapist gave my wife the name of someone who was good with social phobia (though I was calling about depression originally).
So... you're not the only person who is unable to call!
@squib
Wow you're so helpful too!! Thank you so much for having shared your experience, it's a great example! ... And by the way: it's depression for me to, at least I think. Also, it is actually a second time for me too, because some years ago my mum took me to have only one little chat with a psychologist... Now I feel like I have to take care of myself and it's only up to me to do it.
@redFriend8283
Feel free to PM me and I'd be happy to help you :). (Thanks for the tag @Dillion!)
Let me just say that you all have been so amazing: i didn't even expected to have some answer (my negative side's fault as usual) but luckily good and caring people exist. Thank you all so much!
@redFriend8283
One of the best things I can say is to take a deep breath and do what feels right because only you know what that feels like. Again, feel free to PM me if you'd like help (I've had a lot of experience with this since I'm a psychologist).
You are not alone. I experience anxiety just making and waiting for a doctors appointment.