During your first appointment, the therapist will probably ask you to explain why you are seeking therapy. This is your opportunity to provide an overview of how you have been feeling and what problems you have been encountering.  You may want to think about how you will express these things before you go, since it might be a little overwhelming to describe it all on the spot. In your own words, just try to describe how you have been feeling and acting. How long has it lasted? Why does it bother you? What do you hope to accomplish through therapy? Your first appointment is a good time to ask questions that will help you decide if you want to continue with this therapist. Some questions you might want to ask include:  How long have you been a practicing therapist? How much experience do you have working with people who share my issues? What are your specialties? What are your treatment methods? How effective are these methods? Being dishonest with your therapist can hinder your progress or prevent it entirely. Therefore, it is essential to tell your therapist the truth about your feelings and experiences. Keep in mind that your therapist is not going to judge you or share what you have shared with her. If you don’t feel comfortable being honest with a therapist, then it might be a sign that you need to try someone else. Talk therapy is an effective treatment for many different types of mental health issues, but it takes time and persistence. You and your therapist can set goals and develop a plan for achieving those goals.  For example, your goal might be to feel less anxious when you go out in public or to stop making major purchases without thinking about them first. Tell your therapist what your goals are and follow through with her recommendations for achieving them. Keep in mind that it can take a while to see results, but the results from talk therapy are often more long-term than the results you might achieve by only taking medication. You need to be comfortable with your therapist in order to address your mental health problems.  Be aware of your comfort level with the therapist. If you feel comfortable and safe, that’s the best environment for effective counseling. Consider if race or gender is an issue in your counseling. Don't limit yourself to the age, gender, or race of the therapist, since you may skip over a very qualified therapist. If your specific mental health problem addresses a unique gender or racial experience, you may want to choose a therapist that may understand your experience first-hand. Pay attention to the communication style of your therapist. Make sure the way they talk and listen to you feels like you are heard and listened to. Keep in mind that therapists are human beings too. Some meetings may not go well. Mental health professionals are not perfect, so try to give them the benefit of the doubt. If you don’t feel comfortable with a therapist, that’s ok. It’s important to feel comfortable to address your mental health concerns.  Realize that your first meeting is just an interview. It’s not the end of the world if the first therapist does not work out. Ask for a referral if your initial meeting doesn’t work out. Even if your first meeting did not go well, your therapist may be able to suggest someone that’s a better fit. Thank the therapist for their time. They took time out to meet you as a new patient. Be grateful for their time and willingness to help.
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One-sentence summary -- Describe the feelings and issues that you want to work on. Ask questions. Provide honest answers. Set goals with your therapist. Pay attention to your therapist's personal qualities. Know that not every therapist will work out.


It's located at the lower-left corner of your screen. Alternatively, press the T keyboard key.
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One-sentence summary -- Right-click on the Start  button. Choose Task Manager from the list of options. Finished.


If your child’s defiance is extreme and persistent, they may have Oppositional Defiant Disorder. You will need a diagnosis from a psychiatrist to confirm this and clinical talk therapy to treat it.  The classic symptoms of ODD include consistently irritable mood, an extreme tendency toward argumentativeness, impulsivity, vindictiveness, and significant behavioral problems at school. ODD is often accompanied by antisocial behavior and self-harm. The symptoms of ODD generally begin to show before the age of 8. The symptoms should persist for a least six months before a diagnosis can be made. ADHD is an increasingly common diagnosis for children with persistent behavioral problems. You will need a diagnosis from a psychiatrist to confirm this. There are a host of cognitive and talk therapies designed to treat ADHD as well as stimulate medications like Ritalin and Adderall.  ADHD is typified by a persistent inability to stay focused. It can also be accompanied by hyperactivity, absent-mindedness, forgetfulness, mood swings, anxiety, and depression. Talk to your children regularly so you know what is going on in their lives. Acting out may be related to stress they are experiencing unrelated to the current situation. For example, maybe they are being bullied or are bored with what they are being taught. This can lead to behavior similar to ADHD. Persistent defiance can be a sign of traumatic stress in children. The cause of trauma can be physical like abuse, bullying, or experiencing a car crash or more emotional like going through a parental divorce or the death of a family member. If your child is expressing bad behavior because of traumatic stress, you will likely need to see a therapist for more information about causes and treatment.  A sharp change in behavior and mood after a potentially traumatic event is an obvious sign that it is linked to the event. Anti-social behavior, mood swings, and a loss of cognitive skills problem-solving are also warning signs that bad behavior is linked to trauma. Speaking to a therapist will help get to the real issues behind your child's behavior. Medications can just keep symptoms at bay.
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One-sentence summary --
Know the signs of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Know the signs of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Know the signs of trauma.