What do i say

[Think About It...]

My SO will be attending her first meeting with a psychologist soon and she is dreading the meeting. She has alot of trauma from her childhood and teen yrs that has never been properly treated, i believe it accounts for the way she is today. She is fearful of opening up old wounds and says she doesn't want to re-live her past experiences. Personally, i think it is the only way she is going to be able to start the healing process and allow her to get mentally and emotionally healthier.
I don't want to push her into going or sound like this is such a good thing for her ( which i believe it is ) when she is so apprehensive, as this triggers her to project her fears about the meeting on me ( happened last night to some extent ). How can i be supportive and not come accross as overbearing.
How have others dealt with this ?
This is a significant step for her, way overdue and i don't want her fears to kill something that in my opinion would be a blessing in the longrun for everyone that surrounds her. 
Thank you for your help.   

[moonunit]

My SO will be attending her first meeting with a psychologist soon and she is dreading the meeting. She has alot of trauma from her childhood and teen yrs that has never been properly treated, i believe it accounts for the way she is today. She is fearful of opening up old wounds and says she doesn't want to re-live her past experiences. Personally, i think it is the only way she is going to be able to start the healing process and allow her to get mentally and emotionally healthier.
I don't want to push her into going or sound like this is such a good thing for her ( which i believe it is ) when she is so apprehensive, as this triggers her to project her fears about the meeting on me ( happened last night to some extent ). How can i be supportive and not come accross as overbearing.
How have others dealt with this ?
This is a significant step for her, way overdue and i don't want her fears to kill something that in my opinion would be a blessing in the longrun for everyone that surrounds her. 
Thank you for your help.   

[Steph]

 Validation!

" Wow, I can see how this could be scary"

" Ya know, it makes sense that you feel nervous about going. Thats alot of stuff there! I think I would, too"

" It sounds hard! You are very brave for taking this step!"

" Would it help if we went together, and I was waiting in the waiting room for you, and then we grab a coffee after?"

" I can see that I might be feeling just like you are, right now. I might even think about bringing my ( pet/favorite sweater/squooshy ball to squeeze) along to help me deal a bit"
 

In other words, you want to validate what she is feeling. It IS scary and HARD and lots of fear is there! It makes sense! We can all feel like this!

You want to support without INvalidating, by saying things that dont acknowledge her very real fears and anxieties..How can you listen, be there, support her in ways that are possible?

Steph

[moonunit]

Thanks Steph, that all makes sense and is exactly what i was hoping to read after posting - thanks for the advice !

[Steph]

Thanks Steph, that all makes sense and is exactly what i was hoping to read after posting - thanks for the advice !

 Please keep us posted. Like anything, my suggestions could fall flat, but most of the time, validation of emotions feels really good.

I am really happy she is willing to take the steps she is!