This chapter helps you prepare for your therapy sessions, exploring what you want to discuss and how you're feeling. It includes exercises such as 'What I Want to Talk About' and 'Emotion & Body Check-In'.
What I Want to Talk About
As you prepare for your therapy session, take a moment to reflect on what's been on your mind lately. What are the thoughts, feelings, or experiences that you've been wanting to discuss with your therapist?
**What I Want to Talk About**
Use the space below to jot down the topics, concerns, or questions that you'd like to explore in your upcoming therapy session. Consider what's been weighing on your mind, what you're struggling with, or what you're hoping to work through.
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**Rating Your Concerns**
Next to each topic you've listed, rate how important it feels to discuss this issue in your therapy session, using a scale of 0-10, where 0 is "not important at all" and 10 is "very important".
| Topic | Importance (0-10) |
| --- | --- |
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**What's Driving My Desire to Discuss This?**
Choose one of the topics you've listed and reflect on what's driving your desire to discuss this issue in therapy. Ask yourself:
* What am I hoping to achieve or understand by discussing this topic?
* What emotions am I experiencing in relation to this issue?
* What do I need from my therapist in order to feel supported and understood?
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**Sharing Your Thoughts and Feelings**
Consider what you want your therapist to understand about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. What do you want to make sure you communicate during your session?
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Take a moment to review what you've written. Notice any patterns, themes, or areas where you feel stuck. Remember, this is your opportunity to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe and supportive environment. What do you want to remember to discuss during your therapy session?
Emotion & Body Check-In
**Emotion & Body Check-In**
As you prepare for your therapy session, take a moment to tune into your emotional and physical state. Notice how you're feeling right now, and what sensations you're experiencing in your body.
**What Am I Feeling?**
Use the space below to describe your current emotional state. What emotions are you experiencing, and how intense do they feel? Consider using words like "anxious," "calm," "overwhelmed," or "curious" to describe your emotions.
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**Rating My Emotions**
Rate the intensity of your emotions using a scale of 0-10, where 0 is "not intense at all" and 10 is "very intense".
| Emotion | Intensity (0-10) |
| --- | --- |
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**Body Scan**
Bring your attention to your physical body. Notice any areas of tension, relaxation, or sensation. Use the following checklist to identify any physical sensations you're experiencing:
Tension in my muscles
Racing or slow heartbeat
Difficulty breathing
Nausea or stomach discomfort
Headache or pain
Fatigue or lethargy
Other (please specify) _______________________
**What Am I Noticing in My Body?**
Use the space below to describe any physical sensations you're experiencing. What do you notice when you bring your attention to your body?
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**What Do I Need Right Now?**
Consider what you need to feel comfortable and supported in your therapy session. Do you need to take some deep breaths, grab a glass of water, or find a comfortable position? What self-care practices can you engage in to help you feel more grounded and centered?
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**Preparing to Share with My Therapist**
Take a moment to reflect on what you want to share with your therapist about your emotional and physical state. What do you want them to understand about how you're feeling, and what you're experiencing in your body?
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Remember, your therapist is there to support and guide you. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations with them. What do you want to remember to discuss during your therapy session?
Urgency Scale
**Urgency Scale**
As you prepare for your therapy session, consider the level of urgency you're feeling about the topics you want to discuss. How pressing do these issues feel to you, and how much do you feel like you need to address them in your upcoming session?
**Rating My Urgency**
Use the following scale to rate the level of urgency you're feeling about each topic:
| Topic | Urgency (0-10) |
| --- | --- |
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Where 0 is "not urgent at all" and 10 is "very urgent".
**What's Driving My Sense of Urgency?**
Choose one of the topics you've rated and reflect on what's driving your sense of urgency. Ask yourself:
* What are the consequences of not addressing this issue?
* How is this issue affecting my daily life, relationships, or overall well-being?
* What are my fears or worries about not resolving this issue?
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**Prioritizing My Topics**
Based on your urgency ratings, prioritize the topics you want to discuss in your therapy session. Which issues feel most pressing, and which can be addressed later?
| Priority | Topic |
| --- | --- |
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
**What Do I Want to Focus On?**
Consider what you want to focus on during your therapy session. What are your goals for the session, and what do you hope to achieve?
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Take a moment to review your urgency ratings and priorities. Notice how your sense of urgency may be influencing your goals for the session. Remember, your therapist is there to support and guide you. What do you want to remember to discuss during your therapy session?
**Reflection Space**
Use the space below to reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and priorities as you prepare for your therapy session.
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Things I Don't Know How to Say
**Things I Don't Know How to Say**
As you prepare for your therapy session, you may be thinking about things that feel difficult to express or discuss. These might be thoughts, feelings, or experiences that you're struggling to put into words, or that you're worried about sharing with your therapist.
**What's Hard for Me to Say?**
Use the space below to write about the things that feel hard for you to express or discuss. What are the thoughts, feelings, or experiences that you're struggling to put into words?
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**Why Is This Hard for Me to Say?**
Reflect on why these things feel hard for you to express or discuss. Is it because you're worried about being judged, or because you're afraid of feeling vulnerable? Are you concerned about how your therapist will react, or because you're not sure how to articulate your thoughts and feelings?
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**What Am I Afraid Of?**
Consider what you're afraid of when it comes to discussing these difficult topics. Are you afraid of being overwhelmed by your emotions, or of feeling like you're burdening your therapist? Are you worried about confronting painful memories or experiences?
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**What Do I Need to Feel Safe?**
Think about what you need to feel safe and supported as you discuss these difficult topics. Do you need reassurance from your therapist, or do you need to establish boundaries around what you're willing to discuss? What self-care practices can you engage in to help you feel more grounded and centered?
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**Sentence Starters**
Use the following sentence starters to help you express the things that feel hard for you to say:
* I've been wanting to talk about _______________________, but I've been afraid to bring it up.
* I'm struggling to express _______________________, because _______________________.
* I'm worried that if I talk about _______________________, _______________________ will happen.
* I need to tell my therapist about _______________________, but I'm not sure how to start the conversation.
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**Tracking My Progress**
As you work through these difficult topics, take a moment to track your progress. How are you feeling about discussing these issues, and what insights have you gained?
| Topic | Initial Feeling | Current Feeling |
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**What Do I Want to Remember?**
Take a moment to reflect on what you want to remember as you prepare to discuss these difficult topics with your therapist. What do you want to keep in mind, and what do you want to prioritize?
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Remember, your therapist is there to support and guide you. Don't hesitate to reach out for help when you need it, and don't be afraid to take things at your own pace. What do you want to focus on during your therapy session?
Gentle Conversation Starters
**Gentle Conversation Starters**
As you prepare to discuss difficult topics with your therapist, it can be helpful to have some gentle conversation starters in mind. These can help you begin the conversation, express your thoughts and feelings, and set a supportive tone for the session.
**Conversation Starters**
Use the following conversation starters to help you begin the discussion:
* I've been noticing that _______________________, and I'm not sure what to make of it.
* I'm feeling _______________________, and I'm not sure how to talk about it.
* I've been struggling with _______________________, and I could use some support.
* I'm worried about _______________________, and I'm not sure how to move forward.
* I'm feeling overwhelmed by _______________________, and I need some help processing my emotions.
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**What I Want to Explore**
Consider what you want to explore during your therapy session. What questions do you have, and what topics do you want to discuss? Use the space below to write about what you want to explore.
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**Sentence Starters for Exploring**
Use the following sentence starters to help you explore your thoughts and feelings:
* I'm curious about _______________________, and I'd like to learn more.
* I've been wondering if _______________________, and I'd like to discuss it.
* I'm feeling stuck around _______________________, and I could use some help getting unstuck.
* I'm struggling to understand _______________________, and I'd like some guidance.
* I'm feeling drawn to _______________________, and I'd like to explore it further.
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**What I Want My Therapist to Understand**
Take a moment to reflect on what you want your therapist to understand about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. What do you want to make sure you communicate during your session?
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**Tracking the Conversation**
As you discuss difficult topics with your therapist, take a moment to track the conversation. What are the key points you want to discuss, and what insights have you gained?
| Topic | Key Points | Insights |
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**What Do I Want to Remember?**
Take a moment to reflect on what you want to remember as you discuss difficult topics with your therapist. What do you want to keep in mind, and what do you want to prioritize?
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Remember, your therapist is there to support and guide you. Don't hesitate to reach out for help when you need it, and don't be afraid to take things at your own pace. What do you want to focus on during your therapy session?