I would be interested though in how others deal with trust issues for those first appointments?
Hey DD! Welcome!!!
I also had to see a new physio earlier this year (my previous one died in a car crash 
). So it was super difficult to see someone new when I was still grieving for my old one (who was very much a friend as well as physio!). It's also tough when you see those types of people if you are seeing them for areas which mean you have to take your shirt off (e.g. back pain!). It's a bit scary doing that for the first time - they are always super understanding and leave the room and stuff and make sure you have a towel to cover you, but it's still a bit scary!
Seems as though dentists are a common worry!! So glad I don't fear my dentist in the slightest - the only thing I fear is that he'll go mad at me for not flossing as much as I should. 
Lets move on to the next question:
How do you go about choosing a new health professional? What kind of stuff do you normally look for?
Welcome Bubblez and maddybee! Great to have you here!!
@Bubblez - It is great you have an amazing group of health professionals! Trust is definitely an area many of people struggle with... I remember when I first saw my current psychiatrist I was SO nervous about what he might ask me in the first appointment but thankfully it was pretty straightforward for the first appointment - and he respected my wishes to not talk about something if I didn't want to! I've been seeing him for 3 years now and only recently have I trusted him enough to tell him some things! So it can take a very long time!!! I guess it is important to be open though and give them the benefit of the doubt (if you can!). But trust does take time, and it's unrealistic to think that you would trust them with everything in the first appointment. It's the same with my GP appointment on Wednesday, I'm not going to tell her everything straight up... Just keep it simple and "need to know"... Trust develops over time.
I'm really keen to hear what others think about this trust issue!
@maddybee18 - welcome!! Seeing a counsellor for the first time is HUGE so well done on getting through it! They are totally common fears and I'd be keen to hear how you got through it! Did you end up opening up to the counsellor? I find taking notes along can be helpful, then I don't forget anything important.
@Sophie-RO: Yeah I think that's true. I think one of the reasons why I felt so comfortable with the physio was because I was just talking about a functional issue to do with my arm rather than something more personal (like my mental health) or something that I was really worried about.
@MM: Oh that's sad that your physio died . That must have been hard for you. Yeah I agree it was a bit scary to take my clothes off but I just tried to remind myself that they do it everyday and they're focused on fixing a problem for you, not what you look like.
How do you go about choosing a new health professional? What kind of stuff do you normally look for?
Like Sophie and MM were saying, I try to go for someone who has been recommended to me. I also try to go for females over males if I can (I just feel more comfortable with the same gender).
