What to Expect in Your First Session with Therapy or Counseling in Davis
Take some time to enjoy the surroundings as you arrive for counseling in Davis
You’ve decided that it’s time to work on some internal challenges, having found a therapist who seems like a good fit, at least initially. Now the first appointment is ahead and you may be wondering how to prepare. I’ve worked many clients who are new to therapy and most arrive with a little, sometimes not so little, trepidation: What will I have to say? Do I have to arrive knowing what I want to talk about, about what I am looking for? What questions will be asked? Not surprisingly this can generate nerves. Most of us feel more at ease when we can roughly anticipate what is coming next.
My goal here is to lay it out plainly so your first session can feel useful and helpful in your quest to get help.
If you still have questions about finding a therapist, take a look at my guide to finding therapy or counseling in Davis.
Before You Arrive
As part of setting up the first appointment, your therapist will likely have addressed some logistics and if not, it can be good to ask before you go.
· Intake paperwork. Your intake paperwork can often be reviewed ahead of time, either through the therapist’s online system or via email. This will consist, at minimum, of an Informed Consent outlining legal limits to confidentiality, risks and benefits of therapy, fees, and appointment policies and a Privacy Practices document with an acknowledgment page for you sign showing that you received it. You may be asked for demographic information at this point (address, phone number, date of birth) and a credit card which is all standard practice. I also give my clients the option of providing a little more information in the comfort of their own home about, for example, whether they feel supported or if they already know what they want to get from therapy.
· Insurance/private pay. Knowing how you’ll cover the cost of the appointment will remove a stressor from the first session. Discuss with your therapist whether they take your insurance, your out-of-pocket responsibility, and their fee if you will be paying privately. See my blog post for a little more information on insurance.
· Parking. I don’t know about you but parking in town can be frustrating! Round and round, looking for someone leaving, especially during the academic year. Your therapist might have some tips up their sleeve, so be sure to get the lay of the land before you go.
When I begin working with a new client, I find it helpful to suggest arriving a few minutes early to allow for traffic or a late bus, or for nerves that have got in the way of getting out the door in time. Sitting in the waiting room can be a great opportunity to take a couple of breaths, feel your feet on the floor, and remind yourself of the reasons and importance of taking this step.
The First 10 Minutes
The very start of therapy is about gaining a degree of comfort and the first ten minutes can be the most challenging. Once you are in the room or connected online and settled, your therapist will spend a little time reviewing the paperwork with you, and they may ask you to complete a “Release of Information” document for an emergency contact. These documents protect your information and clarify your responsibilities as a client. You will have a chance to ask questions and raise any issues you anticipate over the course of the work.
The Heart of the First Session
When that is completed, the focus will shift to you and your experience. Depending on the therapist’s style and the type of therapy they provide, they will lead you in some questions to get to know you and your needs a little better. This can include what has been going on lately, what happened that led you to decide therapy now, how you have been feeling, and what you would like to be different by the end of therapy. They may ask for more on your family, upbringing, and physical health. This context helps the therapist understand the full picture to work with you for the quickest and best possible change. The therapist will not expect you to talk non-stop for the full session, it should feel like a conversation and when you have answered a question the therapist will ask another. It is not on you to decide how to spend the therapy hour!
Ending the Session
As the end of the session approaches, the therapist will open a conversation about next steps. Usually, they will be curious about whether you would like to make another appointment, have more questions, or want to think about it. If you want to continue, then they will help you schedule and let you know what’s next. In some cases, you and the therapist may realize that your goals fall outside their particular. In this case they can help you find someone better suited to what you need.
Common Feelings After Session One
By this point you will have made it through your first therapy appointment! Well done! You are now equipped with more knowledge and experience for whatever your next step is. At the end of the first session my clients often tell me that it was much easier than they had anticipated and that they feel a little lighter. That said, it is no small thing to make ourselves vulnerable in front of another person and we can be a bit tired afterwards.
Conclusion
If you are getting ready for your first appointment for therapy or counseling in Davis, a little knowledge about what to expect can go a long way in helping you feel less stressed and uncertain. You won’t be expected to do all the talking or know what you are supposed to say. Starting therapy for the first time can be a challenging step that, once taken, yields life-long benefits.
Author Bio
Jean McSorley LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Davis, Ca. She specializes in treatment for trauma and attachment wounding and uses EMDR and other therapies to help clients find joy and inner safety previously unavailable to them. Jean is known for her work with complex situations and for providing clinical supervision.