What to Expect in Your First Therapy Session: A Guide for New Clients

Your first therapy session marks the beginning of a transformative journey. It's an opportunity to lay the foundation for personal growth and positive change. By understanding what to expect and approaching the session with an open mind, you're already taking significant steps towards your goals. As you prepare for your first therapy session, we want to ensure that you feel comfortable and informed about what to expect.

What to Expect in Your First Session

Your first session is all about getting to know each other. It’s a safe space where you can share your thoughts, feelings, and the challenges you’re facing. Here’s a brief overview of what will be discussed:

1. Introduction and Comfort: We’ll start with a brief introduction to help you feel at ease. It’s important that you feel comfortable and safe.

2. Discussing Your Goals: We’ll talk about what you hope to achieve through therapy. Whether it’s managing anxiety, improving relationships, or exploring personal growth, your goals will guide our sessions.

3. Confidentiality Assurance: We’ll explain the confidentiality aspect of our sessions, ensuring that everything you share remains private and secure.

4. Assessment and Understanding: Typically, therapists will ask about early childhood experiences (schooling, family dynamics) and other significant events that have happened in your life. These questions may seem like they aren't relevant to what you're currently struggling with, but it helps your therapist develop a better understanding of you as a whole person. They can explore which coping skills have or have not helped in the past, and this information enables them to tailor the sessions to your specific needs.

5. Interactive Dialogue: Feel free to ask any questions or express any concerns you might have. This session is as much about you getting to know your therapist as it is about them getting to know you!

6. Outline of the Therapy Process: They will discuss the therapy process, including the techniques and approaches that might be beneficial for you.

7. Setting the Pace: Remember, therapy is a journey, not a race. They will go at a pace that feels right for you.

Your Role in This Journey

In the therapy process, your active participation is essential for achieving successful outcomes. You should come prepared to share openly and honestly about your thoughts and feelings, as this transparency helps build a trusting relationship with your therapist.

Additionally, reflecting on your experiences and providing constructive feedback on the therapy process will contribute to a more effective and tailored approach to your treatment. Engaging in this collaborative relationship ensures that both you and your therapist can work together towards meaningful progress and personal growth.

Next Steps

Within a day or so of scheduling a session with your therapist you will be emailed important intake forms that give consent for treatment and permission to bill your insurance company. If those have been completed, you'll get an email or text from our scheduling system 24 hours before your appointment. This email/text will contain the link for your telehealth session with your therapist. The link is the same for every session, so feel free to bookmark it on your computer or phone.

If you haven’t already scheduled your first session, I encourage you to do so. It’s the first step towards a transformative journey. If you have any questions or need further information before our session, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

We look forward to embarking on this transformative journey with you!