What to Expect
What to expect from your first session
Whether you’re approaching counselling for the first time or looking to re-engage after working with another therapist, talking to someone new can feel daunting and many people feel nervous before their first appointment. To help you feel comfortable I’d like to demystify what you can expect when you first get in contact, as well as a brief rundown of how I manage my initial assessment sessions.
After you’ve made contact I will reach out to you by your preferred contact method to arrange a day and time for a brief phone call. This will take 10-15 minutes and is a chance for me to understand what you are seeking a therapist to talk about, as well as your preferred method for accessing sessions (whether in person, by video call or phone sessions), and to set up an initial appointment date. This is also a chance for you to ask me any questions you may have about counselling in general, the way I work or anything else you may feel I can answer for you.
Prior to the agreed first session you will receive email confirmation of the date and time of your session, along with address details (if you would see me in person) or a link for MSTeams (if you would see me by video call).
On the day of your first session
Please try to arrive on time but note that I will be unable to see you earlier than the previously agreed upon time. I understand that sometimes things get in the way and if you are travelling to see me in person that delays can occur, however this will result in reduced time available for your meeting.
For your first session I tend to work in a fairly structured way – gaining as much information as I can to learn how I can best help you during the course of our time together. I will ask you specific questions related to what brings you for therapy at this time and what you have been doing to cope with any problems you may be having. I will ask questions around any potential relationships you may be in, ask about family and friends to understand what support you have in place. I will ask questions about any previous experience of counselling or therapy as well as any physical health issues that may relate to or impact on your mental health (including medications).
I will also ask some more difficult questions around history of or intention to self harm – please do not feel afraid to answer these questions truthfully, and honestly. It is my belief that being able to talk about these matters freely in our sessions will help keep you safe, and we can work together on a strategy to reduce any risks to yourself.
To end our assessment I will ask you for your goals and what you feel is most important to focus on first, as well as leaving you more time to ask any questions that may have come up during this session or since our first contact.
Please note that during our assessment session I will be taking notes – this is to ensure I have as much information in your own words as possible, to better help you. In every future session you will have my undivided attention without note-taking mid session.
So what comes next?
Your sessions are about you and what you need. I believe that having a good basis of understanding allows us more freedom to build a rapport and for me to walk a mile in your shoes, so I can hopefully bring insights that resonate for your journey. Having identified our starting point, we will work together at a pace defined by you towards your goals.
Whether you choose to talk about something currently ongoing in your life or trace back historic feelings, I will be there to support you and understand what you’re dealing with. We can change topic or direction if you choose to and review how you are finding sessions regularly to ensure that you are getting what you need in order to progress. If you are worried about repeating yourself too often please know that no two appointments will necessarily be alike unless it serves you at that time.