The first therapy session – what happens?

You’ve booked your first therapy session…

Maybe you’ve had therapy before maybe it’s your first time.

You might be excited, scared, nervous, hopeful, panicking….it’s normal.

Any time we do something new, something out of our comfort zone, something that makes us vulnerable it’s totally normal and healthy to experience a wide range of emotions. Some may feel good and others may leave you questioning if you’ve made the right decision.

This is part of the therapeutic process.

To debunk some of the myths and reduce some of your possible fears I’d like to talk about what happens during the first session.

I always look out for new clients. Even if you know the area it’s always nerve wracking meeting someone new and that can make locating places more challenging.

I’m a very warm and friendly person so the first thing you will see is me with a big smile! At this point you know I’m a real person and I’m not scary or intimidating (not even a tiny bit!).

I will show you where my therapy room is and we can sit, relax and have a chat.

There is no scary discussion. You don’t share anything you aren’t ready to talk about.

The first session is about getting to know each other. We are forming a therapeutic relationship.

I talk about what CBT is and how therapy works.

I will ask you what you hope to achieve during therapy.

I will ask you if you are happy to share a brief account of what made you decide to come to therapy.

I will then relate that information back to CBT and how specifically it can help you.

I will ask if you have any questions or concerns and we can chat about it.

And that is the end of the first session. If you want to book another session we can. If you want to process what was discussed that’s no problem. If you feel like your not ready to proceed that’s totally understandable. If you would like to chat to other therapists to find the perfect fit that’s absolutely fine.

It’s your therapy, I follow your lead.

There’s no pressure or expectations.

Written by Julia Donald at Cognitive Vitality Psychotherapy in Inverness.