Note: The article was created in collaboration with Dr. Jaclyn, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a Ph.D. in Counseling Studies and over ten years of experience working with a diverse clientele.
What's the first session like?
Your first therapy session is for you and your therapist to meet and ask each other any questions that you have about the counseling process. You can expect your therapist to do the same, as they will ask questions to gain insight into your specific situation. In this first session, the therapist is doing their part to gather as much information as possible so they can better assess whether they are able to meet your therapeutic needs.
The therapist will ask you to provide the symptoms you have been experiencing that may have led you to seek therapy and how they have impacted your daily routine. They will ask how long these have been going on and how you have and have not been coping. This gives the therapist a good idea of what you already do to cope and what you may need to improve your situation.
The therapist may also ask about your history of relationships, family, and living situation, including daily routines and any substance use that may be assessed as impacting your life in a negative way.
What questions should you ask?
A good therapist match is a two-way street! Be prepared to ask your therapist some questions to determine whether they're the right fit for you. Knowing what you want out of therapy before your session will help, so check out this guide.
Good questions to ask:
· How long will therapy sessions last?
· How long will the counseling process last?
· What can I expect from sessions with you?
· What type of methods do you use?
· How do you decide on my counseling goals?
· How many years have you been counseling, and what are your specialties?
How will you feel after your first session?
Expect to leave feeling a sense of relief from having a new place to share. This place should feel safe and excite you to know that change is coming. You should expect to feel tired just from opening up and expressing so much that you may have been holding in. With the right therapist, you will feel secure in this process of personal growth, but you may still need to build in some time for self-care after your session.
If you sense it's not the right fit for you, don't be discouraged! Finding the right therapist can take time. If you'd like to try out a different therapist, reach out to our support team or fill out our rematching survey.