What To Expect in Your First Therapy Session: A Step-by-Step Guide
WELCOME TO YOUR FIRST THERAPY SESSION.
Whether you’ve had many sessions before, or you’re walking into therapy for the very first time, you are welcome in this space. It’s yours, and your therapist is here to support you in all aspects of yourself, with whatever you are bringing into the room. We move through the session at a pace that feels right for you, and won’t push you beyond what you feel comfortable with, as we want you to feel comfortable and respected at every point in the therapeutic process.
WE WANT TO GET TO KNOW YOU!
Every therapist has a slightly different take on the initial session with a new client. Generally, we refer to the first one as an intake session. We want to create a safe, supportive, and calming environment for you to feel comfortable and cared for. Our goal is to begin the process of developing a therapeutic relationship: we want to get to know you!
Often, your therapist will want to get to know your current experiences, and will also likely take a brief history, asking questions about your current life circumstances, as well as questions about your past. Some of this information will have already been gathered on your intake form, which you receive when you book an initial intake session. Your therapist might want to learn a bit more about what you’ve shared on that form.
WHAT WILL WE TALK ABOUT IN YOUR FIRST INTAKE SESSION?
Current experiences: They might ask a bit about your relationships, your interests and hobbies, and what is meaningful or important to you right now. They may want to know more about what prompted you to seek out therapy at this particular point in your life.
Brief history: Your therapist may ask you about your childhood experiences, your family of origin, your past relationships, any history you may have with medications, diagnoses, or your physical/mental health in general.
Important issues: Depending on the flow of the session, your therapist may ask you about current, pressing issues that are particularly important to you at the moment. If certain life experiences and events become overwhelming, significant, or deeply important to you, your therapist may want to spend time exploring those.
Creating a plan, building a toolbox: Depending on your therapist’s style, background, and approach, they may discuss a potential trajectory for therapy, such as things you both may want to focus on, and may invite conversation about building a mental health toolkit, including strategies for coping with current life circumstances, and information on different experiences you may be having (e.g., regulating your nervous system, managing grief, navigating anxiety, building healthy relationships, working on supportive sleep habits, etc.)
WE’RE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU.
As always, your therapy process is personalized to your needs, and the process can take time. Our team of therapists is here to support your unique process and follow your lead while providing gentle guidance, care, and support every step of the way.
