May Focus: A Beginner's Guide to What to Expect on Your First Therapy Visit
At the beginning of the month, we delved into finding the right therapist for you; now, let's pivot to understanding what you can anticipate from the experience!
Setting the Stage: Your First Session: Your initial therapy session, often called an intake, is the foundation of your therapeutic experience. It's a get-to-know-you meeting, not just for the therapist to understand you, but also for you to gauge the therapist. Here's what typically happens:
Introductions and Paperwork: Expect to start with introductions and some paperwork, which usually includes consent forms, confidentiality agreements, and a general health questionnaire.
Discussing Your Concerns: The therapist will invite you to share what's been troubling you. Be as open as possible. This is your time to express your feelings, challenges, and what you hope to change or understand better through therapy.
Establishing Goals: Together, you'll start to outline your goals for therapy. These can evolve over time, but it's helpful to begin with a direction.
Learning About the Therapeutic Process: Your therapist will explain their approach and what you can expect from the sessions, including frequency, duration, and their specific therapeutic methods.
Ask the therapist questions!
This first session is also your opportunity to interview the therapist. Asking questions helps demystify the process and sets clear expectations. Consider asking questions like:
What experience do you have with my particular issues?
What is your approach to therapy, and how do you believe change happens?
How will we track my progress?
What happens if I don’t feel like we are a good fit after a few sessions.
Signs of a Good Fit: A therapeutic match can sometimes be felt immediately, but often it's determined over a few sessions. Here are some indicators that you may have found the right therapist:
Comfort in Vulnerability: You should feel comfortable being honest and vulnerable. It's a good sign if you're willing to share aspects of yourself that you may usually keep hidden.
Active Listening: A therapist who's a good fit will actively listen to you, valuing your thoughts and feelings without judgment or interruption.
Mutual Respect: Therapy is a collaborative process. You should sense that your therapist respects you as an individual and your capacity for change and growth.
Clarity and Challenge: While it's important to feel understood, the best therapists also challenge you in ways that promote insight and growth.
Giving Therapy Time: Therapy is not a quick fix; it's a journey. It can take time to see the fruits of your labor. As you proceed, keep in touch with your goals and assess your comfort level with your therapist.
Conclusion: Yes, therapy can indeed help, provided it's the right fit. It's a space to explore your inner landscape and gain skills to navigate life more effectively. The initial session is the first step in what can be a transformational relationship. As you embark on this journey, remember that it's okay to change therapists if you don't feel the connection. The right therapeutic relationship can be a powerful ally in your pursuit of well-being and self-discovery.
PS - Click here to download my free workbook!
Warmly,
Dr. Madison White
Licensed Clinical Psychologist