What to Expect
It is normal to have some anxiety going into your first therapy appointment. However, knowing what to expect can help ease some of that anxiety and help you better prepare for your first session.
Your therapist is trained to help you feel as comfortable as possible and will encourage you to go at your own pace. During that first session your therapist will go over the initial paperwork and then move on to learning more about you.
Why are you are seeking counseling?
Most likely you are seeking counseling because you are going through a life situation or specific issue that is negatively impacting your life. You may have a clear idea of what is going on in your life or maybe you only have a vague sense that “something doesn’t feel right” and you are not as happy or fulfilled as you would like to be.
Your story.
Your therapist will ask you several questions about your history and things that are going on in your life right now. This helps your therapist understand how long you have struggled with your life situations and concerns, and where they began. Through active listening, your therapist will learn about what you are experiencing and how long this has been going on so your treatment plan will fit your particular needs at the present time.
Be open with your thoughts and feelings.
Your therapist is trained to help make you feel comfortable and will ask questions about your life and history, and will want you to be honest and open about what you are going through.
Be sure to go into your first appointment with realistic expectations.
Counseling takes time, it is a process. You may report feeling better after one session, but with most people it takes time before they experience the kind of changes they would like to see in their life situation and circumstances.
Feeling comfortable and safe with your therapist.
Therapy is a relationship based on mutual respect and understanding. You will get the most out of therapy if you are engaged and involved in the process. You might want to know more about counseling and the role your therapist plays in your counseling. Ask questions so you feel you have found someone you can trust. Your therapist will be happy to tell you how their approach may be helpful to you. If for some reason, the therapist does not have experience in working with a particular issue, he or she will be willing to refer you to a therapist that does have more experience and training.