The First Therapy Session
The journey to the first session of therapy is, in itself, a long one. You have to look for therapists, reach out to them, find or make a time that works for the both of you, fill out paperwork, the list goes on. And on top of all of that, it can be scary acknowledging that you want help. That’s why it’s important to note that the fact that you did all of that signifies how strong and courageous you are. And if you haven’t scheduled a first session yet or if you’re still thinking about looking for a therapist, I want to say that I’m proud of you too, because you’ve started this journey and that’s such a cool thing!
Regardless of where you might be on your journey to finding help, starting therapy can be scary, especially if it’s the first time you’ve ever gone. I can say with great certainty that most, if not all, of us in the mental health field have been in your shoes before, some of us before we realized how much we love the field. Part of making therapy more approachable is about making the process more transparent and telling people about what it might be like; there’s no reason why therapy needs to be something mysterious.
The first session of therapy may or may not come after a (usually) phone consultation directly with your therapist, which means you might have already spoken before. Sometimes, consultation calls occur with someone who isn’t your therapist but is instead someone who works on the intake process with new clients. Other times, you might have an intake call with the therapist you are interested in meeting with. Regardless, the first session often begins with a brief introduction by your therapist before asking you a bit about yourself. Therapy is about you, so don’t be alarmed if your therapist asks a lot of questions! These questions, which are usually about what made you decide to start therapy, potential family history you might have, if you have a history of mental health diagnoses, and other relevant questions about your life and your therapy goals. This discussion might feel either like an interview or more of a conversation, it simply depends on the therapist. While the both of you are talking, you are also more than welcome to ask relevant questions of your therapist as well, it might help you feel more comfortable. Another thing that is important to note is that it is okay to bring up the fact that you are nervous to your therapist; helping you feel safe is what they’re there for!
Much of the first session is about establishing a relationship and talking about the important aspects of you, but by no means should you feel obligated to open up and speak about things you do not feel okay bringing up in that session. You are more than welcome to say as much or as little as you wish; sometimes, it takes time to want to open up to someone, and that’s totally valid!
During and after your session, it is important to recognize that you might feel some big feelings come up. Therapy is a place where we think and talk about things that make us feel different emotions. Sometimes, we have trauma that we must heal, and other times, we have a lot to process. Regardless of why certain feelings may come up, remembering to be kind and patient with yourself and taking time for self care and reflection is critical. And always remember that every time you go to therapy, whether it be for your first session or your last, your showing up proves your courage.
Ayanna Schubert
Birch Psychology
Resources
https://psychcentral.com/lib/what-to-expect-in-your-first-counseling-session
https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/faq/what-will-happen-in-my-first-therapy-session
