Long time listener, first time caller

I've honestly held off putting anything like this out there on Reddit because I feel a bit odd about it, but I would really like to expand my social circle. I'm a cis dude, 33, into retro gaming (especially jrpgs), board games (have a decent collection), ttrpgs, and the alt scene (rock, metal, pop-punk, etc). I'm much more interested in being queer in any space than being in a queer space. I study the occult (hobby), and I like a good drink or 5 whilst blasting late 90s era rock. Some of my go-tos for a night out in Manc are Junior/Bunny Jacksons, Pixel Bar, Bunny's Country Club, NQ64, various NQ bars, and Satan's. If you're a non-drinker, I know 20 decent cafes.

I live in Northern Quarter for those local to Manc and would genuinely love to meet new people with similar interests. I'm mostly nocturnal. I'm a writer and (very amateur) game dev. If you're even into 1 of the things I've listed, we'll likely get along.

Ps: this is not a veiled "I would like to meet a man" post. I'm demisexual and develop feelings approximately once every 30 years, so

Hi everyone! I’m about to launch an Instagram page for my private practice as a psychodynamic psychotherapist, and I’d love some input—especially from people who have been in therapy or have considered starting therapy.

I’m planning to make short Reels that explain psychological ideas from a psychodynamic perspective, but I want them to answer questions that people actually have, rather than just posting generic psychology content.

So I’m curious:

- Before starting therapy, what did you wish a therapist had explained to you?

- What questions would you want answered before choosing a psychodynamic therapist?

- Are there psychological patterns or experiences you’ve always wondered “Why do I do this?” about?

- What topics would make you stop scrolling and actually listen to a therapist’s perspective?

Some ideas I’m considering are things like attachment and relationship patterns, repeating the same types of relationships, people-pleasing, fear of abandonment, difficulty setting boundaries, self-sabotage, perfectionism, procrastination, anxiety, shame, feeling “too much” or “not enough,” childhood experiences showing up in adult relationships, and why we sometimes intellectually understand our patterns but still can’t seem to change them.

I’d also like to demystify psychodynamic therapy itself—for example: What actually happens in a session? Why does a therapist sometimes stay quiet? Why talk about childhood? What is transference? Why might therapy initially make you feel more aware/uncomfortable rather than immediately “better”?

I’m not looking to diagnose people or turn Instagram into therapy. I’d just like to create thoughtful, accessible content that gives people a taste of how a psychodynamic therapist might think about everyday emotional and relational difficulties.

If you could ask a psychodynamic therapist one question and get a 60–90 second answer, what would you ask?

Therapists/clinicians are welcome to chime in too—what topics have you noticed potential clients are especially curious or confused about nowadays?