Going to the first counseling session can be intimidating and anxiety-inducing. Meeting with a therapist can come with a lot of unknowns, which proper preparation can help eliminate. Coming into a counseling session with questions or doubts is normal. Taking some time to prepare for your session will help patients reap all the benefits of therapy sessions.
Red Willow Counseling And Recovery has many therapists, counselors, and professionals to help meet the needs of many community members. Our team is happy to help walk you through your first session and give you a smooth experience. Here are some steps to take before meeting with a counselor or therapist for the first time.
Set Goals Before Meeting Your Therapist
Before starting therapy, individuals should have some idea of what they want to accomplish during sessions. Ask yourself, why are you attending therapy? What do you hope this will accomplish? If patients are seeking counseling for anxiety, depression, OCD, or PTSD, make goals around current coping mechanisms and lowering frequent symptoms.
Some additional goals to set before the first counseling session include:
- Changes you would like to make this year (mentally, physically, socially, etc.)
- Improving relationships of all types
- Working through childhood or other trauma
- How to address addictive or other problematic behavior
- Understanding and expressing your own identity
- Learning how to set clear boundaries
- Forming healthy habits
- Gaining better self-compassion and challenging your inner-critic
Make Sure The Therapist Is a Good Match
It’s important that your therapist is a good therapist, and has the right skills and experience for you. And it’s also important that you feel heard and understood by your therapist. It’s permitted, and even expected, for you to ask your therapist about their experience with your situation, and even ask generally what ways they can help you. You should feel confident that your therapist is the one that can help you progress toward your goals. You don’t need to worry about offending the therapist. They are trained and they understand that they may not be the right person to help you.
If you are feeling guilty, there is something wrong. It can take time to develop an effective therapeutic relationship. You should meet with your therapist a few times, and you can even ask your therapist for what you need–such as asking them to be more direct, or to provide homework assignments, or to be more silent. In the end, if you decide your therapist is not a good fit, you can ask for a referral to other therapists. A good therapist ultimately wants to help you, and if they aren’t a good match, then they can give you recommendations on who might be good.
Gather All Relevant Information
A counselor will want to know about a patient’s medical history, generational health history, psychological history, and other personal information. Having all of this information and documentation written down and in one place will help the first counseling session get started on the right foot.
At Red Willow, we make this easy for you. Prior to your first session, you will receive an intake packet for you to complete. It will include various forms for you to sign, and also a simplified questionnaire about your history and about what are your goals for therapy. It usually takes about 15 minutes to complete this packet online, and then you send it back. If you don’t have a chance to do this, come to your appointment anyway. You can sign documents in the reception area and your therapist will ask you for any relevant history that they need. Your first and concurrent sessions are 50-60 minutes long.
Don’t Be Afraid To Come With Questions
Doing something new will come with unknowns. For those who have never been to therapy, they will have questions about the process, the counselor, the office, and how long the process may take. Google or the counselor’s website can answer some questions before your session begins, however, don’t feel scared to come with thought-out questions to the session.
Plan Relaxing Time After The Session
The first session can be emotionally draining for patients. Talking about sensitive topics or bringing up the past can be hard to process. After the first session and even after future sessions, having some time set aside to destress can be helpful. Patients may feel the need to cry, talk with a family member, not use their full brain power, or take a nap. This can also be a time to reflect and even journal on what happened in the session, to gain more insight into what you felt. Having this time scheduled as if it is a part of the appointment, can help individuals or couples stick with counseling sessions.
Be Patient With Yourself
Seeking therapy can be a daunting experience, especially for the first time. Patients need to give themselves some grace if they feel overwhelmed after a first session. With that being said, some counselors and patients do not mesh well together. Patients may need to take some time trying out multiple therapists or offices before they find the best fit for their needs. Patience is key when it comes to your first counseling session and the overall experience.
Your First Counseling Session From Red Willow
We provide evidence-based mental health therapy for individuals, couples, and more! Our specialists focus on three core principles during all appointments: competence, compassion, and collaboration. We know that therapy can be a truly transformative experience but also takes a lot of work. Taking the time to research a therapist, determine your goals, and work towards a better life is a major accomplishment. We specialize in addiction, LGBTQ+ issues, anxiety, depression, OCD, relationship challenges, drug and alcohol abuse, unresolved grief, and more.
Reach out to us to get started on your therapy journey today!
