It can be a big step to visit a therapist for the first time – and you may wonder what will happen at your initial session.
Your first session is a chance for you to make sure you feel comfortable with your therapist, and for them to check they have the skills and expertise to support you.
It will include introductions, contracting and a chance for you to tell your story and explain the problems you’re experiencing.
We will ask you to fill out a questionnaire, which is designed for us to understand as much about you before we meet. It is important that you send this to us before your first session as it avoids wasted time and allows me to plan and prepare for your session so that you can get the best out of it.
Don't worry- your information you provide is private and confidential. You can read more about this on our data protection page. https://www.mindandtherapy.co.uk/data-protection-policy
You can explore more by reading this post by Mind https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/drugs-and-treatments/talking-therapy-and-counselling/what-happens-in-therapy/
I thought I'd share these bullet points from the Counselling Directory to help you feel comfortable leading up to your first session.
It’s normal to wonder what you are about to get yourself into. Making that first step to go for counselling can be a very brave move to make. Nerves, anxiety, fear, excitement, hope and many other feelings might be floating around. What will my counsellor be like? Will they understand how I’m feeling?
During your first session, your therapist will want to know some things about you, this is so they can assess whether they can work with you for as many sessions as you go on to need. They will be looking at what your needs are and measuring that up against their experience to make sure that they can put your welfare first. It’s unusual for a counsellor to feel that their skills don’t match your needs, but if they feel that you need extra support that they can’t give you, they will talk you through that process. Ultimately your safety and welfare is the top priority.
That first session is also for you to assess your therapist too. Do you like them? Do you feel that you can spend several sessions with this person and be able to trust them with your personal problems? You may not be able to answer that straight away, but trust your instincts. Good therapy is all about the relationship you build with your counsellor, if there is trust there the deeper work you can do.
During your first session, your therapist will be interested in finding out about your story, perhaps looking at what has brought you to counselling at this specific moment in your life. They will also be interested in finding out what your goals are for counselling. A useful way of thinking about what you want to get out of your counselling is to think about how you might know when you’re ready to leave.
Being realistic about your goals for therapy can also seep over into understanding that there is a process ahead. It will require a commitment from you to delve deeper into some of the problems that have been troubling you. Having a therapist to accompany you on that journey means that you will never be alone in looking at some of the more painful parts of your life.
Paperwork. There may be some paperwork to fill out. Some therapists will do a specific measuring of goals via a questionnaire type sheet, looking at how you are feeling now so that can be compared with how you are feeling each week or at the end of the therapy. Some therapists make notes during the session others won’t. Generally there will be a contract to sign, which lays out in black and white the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship. This might include things like confidentiality and its exceptions, time boundaries, what to do if you can’t attend a session. The therapists contract doesn’t mean you are contracted to carry on with therapy, you are free to leave at any time. If you do start to feel that perhaps this is the wrong time for you for therapy, or perhaps you might like to try a different therapist, it can be really beneficial to talk to your therapists about how you are feeling.
Ask questions. What do you want to know from your therapist? Is it important for you to know how they work? What will they expect from you? Does your idea of what therapy is, match up with how they work? The more you explore together the better your chances of having a good therapeutic relationship. Feel free to ask them anything. Your therapist won’t necessarily be sharing any of their personal lives with you. The therapeutic relationship is one that is very different to any other relationship, and your therapist will be able to explain that in more detail.
Every therapist during their training or at some point will have had counselling themselves, so they have experienced what it is like to be in your seat. Therapy can be really exciting to go on a journey of self discovery, it can be life changing, and it can also be hard work, emotional and challenging.
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