Your First Therapy Session
Written By: Emily Beck
November 29, 2024
Congratulations! You have already taken a crucial first step in bettering yourself through therapy by reading this blog post!
Therapy is a common recommendation when someone discusses stress, anxiety, depression, or relationship issues. As therapists, we love to see therapy being recognized as a valid treatment option, as well as normalized to reduce stigma. We love hearing people talk about their experiences in therapy on social media and in casual conversation. But what about those of us who have never been to therapy before? What is it like? How do we know it’s a good fit? Is every session like the first session? What is going to happen?
Read on, and I’ll tell you!
Getting to Your First Session
The first step to having your first therapy session is getting there. Once you have found a therapist, there are still more steps before you can start meeting with someone. Your therapist (or their administrator) will likely send you paperwork to complete ahead of time. This paperwork not only gives your therapist a sense of why you’re there, but also allows them to share their policies and procedures with you, so you know your rights. Therapy is a complicated relationship, with very strict privacy rules, and your therapist will have an informed consent that outlines all of this for you. It is very helpful for you to complete the paperwork ahead of time, not only so you don’t have to use session time to fill out forms, but also so your therapist can prepare.
Be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to get to your session so that you can settle in. The first session can be anxiety provoking, and being late or flustered when you arrive can also make settling into the session more difficult. Make sure to note the name of the therapist you are seeing so that checking in is easier, and have your insurance card readily available.
You Made it to the Office! Now What?
Every therapist practices differently. This is not exclusive to the first session. Therapy consists of a relationship between you and your therapist, and, just like any other relationship in your life, it’s going to feel different depending on the person.
The first session generally consists of an assessment by your therapist in order to determine why you’re there and how to provide the most help. Be prepared to answer a lot of questions, some of which will feel like they are not related to why you came to therapy. Your therapist will likely not only ask you about why you came to therapy, but also about your childhood, your educational and work background, your hobbies, your relationship with substances, your social supports, your sleep habits, and possibly many more topics. All of this information helps us to get a fuller picture of who you are and what you need.
Therapy can feel very uncomfortable at first. You can always refuse to answer a question.
Some Questions to Ask Yourself:
What brought you to therapy?- This may seem obvious, but knowing if there was a specific event or realization that helped you understand that you wanted therapy can help your therapist understand how best to help you.
What kind of therapy do you want?- Not everyone knows the answer to this question, and that is fine! However, if you are looking for a specific type of therapy- like EMDR, CBT, DBT, Somatic Therapy, or anything else, it’s best to look for therapists who specifically do that type of therapy. Like doctors, therapists specialize, so not every therapist can meet the needs of every client.
How do you feel about virtual therapy?- Since COVID, Telehealth, or virtual therapy, has become much more widely available. However, not every insurance plan covers telehealth, and not every person is appropriate for telehealth, and not every therapist offers it. Some therapists offer telehealth exclusively. If you are not comfortable with telehealth, it’s best to seek out a therapist who has an in person option.
Some Additional Steps
Your therapist will sometimes give you a diagnosis, and ask you about your goals for treatment. Not every therapist does this in the first session, but it’s best to be prepared for if these things do come up. Your therapist can help you figure out your therapeutic goals if you are stuck. If you have questions about your diagnosis, ask! Your therapist can go over what this means.
Scheduling
Most therapists see clients weekly. Some clients need to be seen more often, but that is dependent on your needs and the type of therapy your therapist is doing. Be prepared to block off an hour a week for therapy. If you need to cancel, it is always best to let your therapist know, rather than just not showing up. Your therapist has set aside that hour just for you, and you may be charged a no show fee if you don’t cancel in advance.
Therapy is a great way to learn about yourself and how you interact with the world, and to improve your relationships and how you feel day to day. Sound interesting? Give us a call at 217-203-2008 to schedule your first appointment and start promoting peace from within.
References:
https://www.verywellmind.com/psychotherapy-101-p2-1067403
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/therapy/your-first-therapy-session
https://psychcentral.com/lib/what-to-expect-in-your-first-counseling-session