What to Expect During Your First Therapy Session
Your first therapist session can stir up a variety of emotions, from nervousness about opening up and discussing your mental health to excitement about starting a healing journey. No matter how you feel, starting a conversation with a trained therapist or counselor is a great way to improve your mental wellness.
Here are a few things you can expect during your first session in therapy:
1.) Get to Know You
Your first therapy session will primarily focus on who you are. A therapist is there to listen to your concerns and foster a safe and supportive environment. Think of the first therapy session as more of an open and vulnerable conversation about you and your mental health.
Some common questions a therapist may ask:
• What are your symptoms?
• Why do you want to receive therapy?
• What do you feel is wrong or needs improvement in your life?
• Questions about your childhood, education and career, current living situation, and relationships.
The initial visit is a time for you and your therapist to build rapport and develop a sense of trust and openness.
2.) Explain their Background and Qualifications
During the first session, your therapist may discuss their professional background, experience, and educational credentials. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about your therapist and their areas of specialization and determine if the therapist fits your needs. Also, you can ask the therapist questions about mental health to improve your understanding of your current situation.
3.) Discuss the Therapy and Treatment
As you start discussing your concerns, your therapist may also explain the type of treatment they practice and the options you will receive while in their care. Therapists use various techniques to help you cope with mental illness, find solutions for life stressors, and create positive changes in your life. Based on the information you provide during initial visits, a plan can be crafted to improve your mental wellness.
4.) Setting Goals
Improving your mental state and treating any possible symptoms is the goal of therapy. Therapy is not a solo form of care. It takes work from you as well as the therapist. During your first initial visit, discussing aspirations of where you would like to see yourself along your mental health journey is common. Having goals also makes progress and accountability easier to track.
Some common goals of therapy may be:
• Learning coping skills for anxiety and difficult emotions
• Reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression
• Learning self-care practices to alleviate burnout
• Developing new communication strategies for your relationships
By the end of your first session, you should know what to expect from therapy and feel empowered to take the necessary steps in your mental health journey.
If you’re ready to take that the first step and start mental health therapy, the Path To Growth Counseling team is here to support you. Click here to learn about booking a free consultation.
About Path to Growth Counseling:
Path to Growth Counseling is an online counseling practice serving Texas, Nevada, and California. We conduct all sessions virtually – through a secure online platform. This helps reduce some of the barriers to therapy like transportation and scheduling. Our clients love this aspect of our practice. All you need is a reliable internet connection, a quiet confidential space, and openness. Pets are always welcome.
