Hello, I'm Dr Gray. How are you feeling about being here today?
Okay. Have you ever done anything like this before?
I see, okay. Okay, so, maybe if I start by telling you
a little bit about what today's session will involve, that will help you to feel a little
bit more comfortable. Okay, so, this first session is what is called
an assessment. So, it's an opportunity for us to gather together some information about
the problems that have brought you here today. But, also, about, more generally, your life,
which will help me to put together a treatment plan that is specifically designed to meet
your needs. Okay, and then, towards the end of the session,
I'll tell you a little bit about what therapy is going to involve. How does that sound?
Okay, good. Now, before we start, are there any questions that you would like to ask me?
Okay. Okay, well, if you think of any questions as we're going through the session, please,
don't hesitate to ask. Now, as we're talking, I'll just be taking
a few notes to ensure that I don't miss or forget any important details. But, my notes
are completely confidential, which means I won't share them with anyone without your
permission. Okay, are you happy with that? Okay. It's important that you feel comfortable
here today. Okay.
Okay, so, maybe you can begin by describing
to me the symptoms that have brought you here today.
Okay.
Okay. And when did you first notice these symptoms?
Okay. And what makes your symptoms worse?
Are there any particular situations or people?
Okay.
And is there anything that makes your symptoms better?
Okay. Okay, that's good.
Okay, and then, before coming here today, is there anything that you've tried—to help
your symptoms, to resolve your symptoms? Any other treatments or therapies?
Okay. And were any of those helpful?
Okay.
Okay, so, moving on now to some more general questions. I'd like to talk a little bit about
your family. So, let's start with your mum.
Can you tell me a little bit about what she's like?
Okay.
How would you describe your relationship? And does she know that you're here today?
Okay. What does she think about that?
Okay. Okay. And your dad, what's he like?
And how would you describe your relationship with him?
Okay, I see. Does he know that you're here today?
Okay. Do you have any brothers or sisters?
Okay.
And do they struggle with any mental health problems?
What about your mum or your dad? Do they have
any mental health problems? Okay, that's good, that's good.
Okay, moving on to your peer relationships. Do you have a partner at the moment?
Okay. What's your partner like?
Okay. How would you describe your relationship?
Do they know that you're here today? What do they think?
Okay. Okay, so moving on to your social network
and your social life. Do you have many friends?
Okay. Okay. And are they the sort of friends that you
can discuss problems like this with? Okay. And do you?
Okay.
Okay, so, I want to tell you a little bit about what therapy might involve. But before
I do that, is there any other information that you think it's important that I have
when thinking about developing a treatment programme for you?
Okay, okay, yes, that does seem important. Okay.
Okay, so, that's the end of my questions today. Do you have any questions that you'd like
to ask me? Okay. Okay, so, maybe now I can tell you a little
bit about what the therapy will involve. So, there are two phases to therapy. The first
phase is where we focus on helping you to feel better on a day-to-day basis—so, helping
you to manage your symptoms, to reduce your symptoms. Okay, so there will be specific
techniques and strategies that I will show you that will help you to do that.
And then, there is a second phase of therapy, where we identify those factors that have
made you vulnerable to developing these symptoms in the first place, and we work to reduce
their influence on you—to protect you against relapses in the future.
Okay, do you have any questions or worries about that?
Okay, good. So, what I'm going to do, is I'm going to
go away now, and before our next session next week, put together a treatment plan for you.
And then, when we meet again in a week's time, I can share that with you, and we can make
a start on helping you to feel better. Okay, well, it was really nice to meet you,
and I look forward to seeing you next week.
Okay, take care.