What to Talk About in Therapy: 5 Topics to Keep the Conversation Going

Therapy can improve your mental wellness, teach you essential life skills, and provide you with a healthy outlet to work through your struggles. Sometimes, not knowing where to start or what to talk about can prevent you from getting the help you need.

Everyone can benefit from therapy, even if you don’t know what’s wrong or what to talk about. If you’re nervous about starting your first therapy session, here are some tips on how to get started, what to talk about, and what you can work on in therapy.

3 Tips for Starting Conversations in Therapy

Before you begin therapy, you might not know what to expect or what you will talk about. This is especially true if you’re struggling, but you don’t know what’s wrong or you don’t already have a diagnosis. 

Starting conversations in therapy is much easier than it seems. If you don’t know what to talk about during your therapy session, here are three tips to help you get started:

Let Your Therapist Be Your Guide

Don’t worry if you don’t know what to talk about, your therapist is there to help guide discussions. A professional therapist can help you identify topics that will address your specific needs. Therapy is a collaborative process, and your therapist is there to guide you every step of the way. 

Don’t Stress About Your First Therapy Session

During your first  session, your therapist will ask questions to get to know you better. These are typically fairly general questions about who you are, how you feel, and what you’re experiencing. This means that you don’t have to worry about preparing questions or conversation topics before your first visit. 

Be Open and Honest

If you ever feel nervous or you don’t know what to talk about, let your therapist know. Therapy is a safe space that allows you to express yourself freely. Your therapist is equipped with tools that can help you explore your thoughts and feelings, so don’t hesitate to express your concerns.

Are you unsure of how to get started in therapy? Read our related guide on how to email a therapist for the first time.

5 Things to Talk About in Therapy

Sometimes, you may struggle with knowing what information is relevant to discuss during therapy. It’s important to know that nearly everything is relevant to your therapist. Anything that is affecting you positively or negatively should be discussed during therapy. 

Your therapist is there to guide you through your thoughts and emotions. They have the training and experience to take what you tell them and help you sort through it.

If you’re feeling stuck and don’t know what to talk about, here are five conversation topics to discuss in therapy.

How You’re Feeling Right Now

A great place to start is how you’re feeling at the moment. Talk about any positive or negative feelings that you’re experiencing. Even if all you think you’re feeling is nervous, your counselor will guide you through talking about those nerves. 

Although therapy can help you understand negative feelings, it can help you understand positive ones too. If you don’t know how to express how you’re feeling, that is also a great topic to talk about. 

How You’ve Been Feeling Recently

It’s important for your therapist to understand how you feel on a larger scale too. By telling your therapist how you’ve been feeling in the days that you don't talk to them, it can help them monitor your progress from session to session. Also, it can help them tailor therapy sessions to target specific areas that need to be improved. 

How Your Relationships Are Going

Your relationships play a huge role in your overall well-being, whether it's your friends, family, or significant other. Discussing your relationships with your therapist can provide them with insights into the dynamics of your support system. Also, your therapist can teach you effective strategies for improving and maintaining your relationships. 

Big Events That Happened Recently

Have you recently experienced a positive change, like starting a new job or moving into a new place? Was there a negative event that happened recently, like losing your job or ending a relationship? Your therapist can help guide you through these changes and offer emotional support through the transitions in your life. 

Any Concerns You May Have

You should also talk about any concerns that you have about your thoughts, feelings, and mental health. Keeping track of your concerns in a journal can help you remember what to discuss with your therapist. Discussing your concerns with your therapist can prevent them from developing into bigger mental health issues. 

Curious about how well online therapy works? Read our related guide on the effectiveness of online therapy.

Things to Work on in Therapy to Get the Most Out of It

Therapy can be beneficial to you in many ways, whether you need mental healing, professional guidance, or an emotional outlet. Some of the things that you can work on in therapy include:

• Mental health issues
• Stress management
• Emotional regulation
• Life changes
• Traumatic experiences
• Relationship issues

Therapy is an essential step in achieving mental wellness and personal growth. Your mental health journey is unique to you, and therapy can offer personalized assistance to help you achieve your mental health goals.

Read our related article to discover how long therapy lasts.

Personalized Therapy at Inner Balance Counseling

At Inner Balance, we provide compassionate care and professional therapy that’s unique to your mental health needs. Our counselors are experts in guiding you through various healing processes, supporting you in making healthy decisions, and helping you become the person you want to be.

If you are ready to begin your mental health journey, reach out to one of our mental health professionals today.