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EstherJ
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30 Aug 2012, 9:52 am

I have a first visit with a psychologist/counselor.

They are a counseling psychologist who has worked with a lot of people with Asperger's and depression. I have an appt. soon and since I have never been to this kind of doctor I'm not sure what to expect. Do I bring anything? What will we talk about? Do they understand an inability to communicate effectively, or will they expect otherwise? With my past moods, I'm not sure how I should speak regarding my recent suicidal thoughts.

Just a little nervous.



Underscore
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30 Aug 2012, 10:54 am

EstherJ wrote:
I have a first visit with a psychologist/counselor.

They are a counseling psychologist who has worked with a lot of people with Asperger's and depression. I have an appt. soon and since I have never been to this kind of doctor I'm not sure what to expect. Do I bring anything? What will we talk about? Do they understand an inability to communicate effectively, or will they expect otherwise? With my past moods, I'm not sure how I should speak regarding my recent suicidal thoughts.

Just a little nervous.


Seems like you are going to a very suitable psychologist. You are lucky. He/she probably even knows every "mistake" you can do if you have AS, and he/she will maybe understand you whatever you do. I think that it often occurs the opposite situation, where you kind of have to "demand" to be understood, and in one way or another illustrate your problems. So that they finally understand.

My experience with these kind of appointments is that it is kind of formal, it doesn't require much of you than to come to the meeting and just express some of your concerns. You don't have to bring anything, they will tell you everything that is going to happen. Hopefully they are understanding, this is kind of vital with psychologists. And it can be hard to spot this through their "professionalism".



glasstoria
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30 Aug 2012, 11:05 am

If you wanted to write out a list of your issues and concerns that might help get conversations started. Sometimes initially my therapist would ask big questions that were too big, like "What do you want to get out of therapy?" or "What are your goals for yourself to work towards through therapy?" or whatever, and we had to work towards breaking that down into smaller questions so my mind wouldn't freeze.

My therapist didn't mind at all when I brought an extensive list of my social, sensory, anxiety and depression issues, because it gave us things to focus on. That is what worked for me. Just make sure they know that if they overwhelm you in one session you will start to shut down so you can say "wait, I'm getting lost/checking out" or whatever if they start giving you too much stuff to think about.


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lostgirl1986
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30 Aug 2012, 3:14 pm

They're usually a lot better than psychiatrists. They actually talk to you more and make the effort in asking you questions and letting you say whatever is on your mind, they're usually non-judgemental and open-minded. They might get you to do some exercises or cognitive behavioural therapy.



EstherJ
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30 Aug 2012, 5:50 pm

He's great. He does CBT, and realizes that Asperger's can bring benefits. He works on improving the assets and managing the detractions.
He works with my income level, and understands depression, Asperger's, synesthesia, giftedness, and is even screening me for mild catatonia.

I couldn't have asked for better.



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31 Aug 2012, 1:51 am

What to expect is up to you. You are the customer and he is the service provider. What do you want out treatment? What goods are you interested in buying? What change do you seek in your life? And what can this professional do to help you there? That's the attitude for success in my opinion.


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Logicalmom
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31 Aug 2012, 8:23 am

The psychologist I am seeing in a week or so asked for me to do some writing ahead and send it on. For me, that is so helpful - to me, he understands that this is so and this is the way he conducts all appointments. I think writing ahead is good. Especially if you are like me and have 100 appointments before you ever get to the appointment - I go through it over and over and then get into an appointment and clam up or can't say what I mean to say.

Best wishes :)



EstherJ
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01 Sep 2012, 11:16 am

Thanks guys.