Most people are nervous and maybe a little excited to begin therapy. Hopefully, this information will help you prepare for a smooth, pleasant, and meaningful first session.
Before you arrive, I will have emailed you some initial paperwork. I will also have it available in the waiting room in case you weren't able to complete it earlier. There is a bit to read, so I recommend reviewing it at home, even if you choose to complete it at the office.
At our appointment time, I will come to the waiting room to introduce myself and invite you into my office. At this time, I'll review confidentiality and other policies, and I'll answer any questions you may have about fees or insurance.
After the "business" side of things is complete, we get to the important bit. I'll want to know what brings you in. What are your concerns? Your hopes? If you've been to therapy before, what was helpful and what was not? I will ask a lot of questions, both about your present situation and about the past - what got you here? I will take a lot of notes.
Many people feel as if the "floodgates are open" that first session; they have a lot to get off their chest and a lot of information to relay. Some people cry unexpectedly (or expectedly). At the other end of the spectrum, some people need some help deciding what to talk about. All of these things are perfectly normal and fine.
I encourage you to come prepared with any questions you may have for me. At the end of the first session, I will ask if you have any questions (though you don't need to wait until then to speak up!) I will also open the second session by asking if, upon reflection, you have any questions from our first session, or if you thought of anything you wish you would have said, but didn't, for whatever reason.
By the end of either the first or second session, we will come to an agreement about what goals to work toward first and how to go about achieving them. If we both are comfortable proceeding, we will make a future appointment and get started.
Rarely, one of us may feel it is not a good match. I may feel that another therapist may be better able to meet your particular needs than I. If so, I will be happy to refer you to other qualified providers or services in the area. If you do not want to make a second appointment, or if you want some time to think about it, that is perfectly all right. Before investing time, energy, and financial resources in your and your family's mental health, you should be comfortable with me, your partner in this journey.
Before you arrive, I will have emailed you some initial paperwork. I will also have it available in the waiting room in case you weren't able to complete it earlier. There is a bit to read, so I recommend reviewing it at home, even if you choose to complete it at the office.
At our appointment time, I will come to the waiting room to introduce myself and invite you into my office. At this time, I'll review confidentiality and other policies, and I'll answer any questions you may have about fees or insurance.
After the "business" side of things is complete, we get to the important bit. I'll want to know what brings you in. What are your concerns? Your hopes? If you've been to therapy before, what was helpful and what was not? I will ask a lot of questions, both about your present situation and about the past - what got you here? I will take a lot of notes.
Many people feel as if the "floodgates are open" that first session; they have a lot to get off their chest and a lot of information to relay. Some people cry unexpectedly (or expectedly). At the other end of the spectrum, some people need some help deciding what to talk about. All of these things are perfectly normal and fine.
I encourage you to come prepared with any questions you may have for me. At the end of the first session, I will ask if you have any questions (though you don't need to wait until then to speak up!) I will also open the second session by asking if, upon reflection, you have any questions from our first session, or if you thought of anything you wish you would have said, but didn't, for whatever reason.
By the end of either the first or second session, we will come to an agreement about what goals to work toward first and how to go about achieving them. If we both are comfortable proceeding, we will make a future appointment and get started.
Rarely, one of us may feel it is not a good match. I may feel that another therapist may be better able to meet your particular needs than I. If so, I will be happy to refer you to other qualified providers or services in the area. If you do not want to make a second appointment, or if you want some time to think about it, that is perfectly all right. Before investing time, energy, and financial resources in your and your family's mental health, you should be comfortable with me, your partner in this journey.