Blog

What to Expect from Your First Therapy Session

Therapy has proven to have many benefits and can also equip individuals with the resources they need to do better in the future. Instead of relying on your friends or internet advice to give you the help you need, it’s always better to go to a professional.

If you’re thinking about going to therapy, then you’re on the right path! And although it may seem daunting in the beginning, the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial discomfort. To help you prep for your first therapy session, here are a few things you can expect!

Your First Meeting

So, it’s time for your first meeting, and you’re anxiously waiting in the virtual waiting room, wondering how the meeting will transpire. To better understand how the first few sessions work, here is a quick crackdown for the newbies.

As with any new encounter, your counselor will start off by introducing themselves. And after you two have exchanged pleasantries, they will go through all the documents and explain the policies to you. These include patient-counselor confidentiality, how therapy will work, and any additional policies they need you to understand.

Once all of the formalities are sorted, the attention turns to you. The main question that is usually addressed in a first-time therapy meeting is understanding your needs and what you hope to gain from the sessions. This information is usually gathered through a series of questions:

• What made you decide to opt for counseling?
• Have you previously been in any form of therapy?
• How long have you dealt with these problems?
• Tell me more about your support network.

However, these questions are often open-ended, and depending on how much you divulge, your counselor can gather more information on your outlook, struggles, and which direction to gear the remainder of the session.

Taking An Active Role

Therapy is scary for many people because they have to talk about difficult conversations and emotions. However, it’s through these discussions that things become easier. The more open you are with your counselor, the more fruitful the outcome of the sessions.

While attending counseling sessions, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and experience a range of emotions. This feeling may seem scary, and you may even be prompted to shut down or discontinue your sessions. However, the best thing to do is push through all the negative emotions and continue with therapy. The more sessions you attend, the less dread you will feel about the next one.

One way to guarantee a good counseling experience is by ensuring you have an understanding and patient counselor. At Serene Minds Counseling Service, we provide online individual counseling in Redlands from the comfort of your home. Our counselors are always willing to work with you and help you tackle your problems. Contact us today for more information.