What to Expect in a Therapy Session
Whether you’re thinking of talking to a therapist or you’ve already booked your appointment, thinking about your first session might be nerve-wracking for some. You might go back and forth on whether to even go. Many people schedule, cancel and then reschedule that first appointment.
You might be wondering questions like: What are they going to ask me? Are my issues too minor to be speaking with a therapist? Will they judge me? Will I be asked to bare my feelings to them?
Not knowing what to expect often keeps people from attending therapy in the first place. Being nervous about this is completely normal, though. I don’t know about you, but I still get a bit nervous about meeting someone for the first time – even a therapist.
To ease those first-appointment jitters you might have, we’re going to share what to expect in that first session to demystify the process for you. We’ll also share the most common questions a therapist may ask during that initial meeting.
What to Expect
In broad terms, the therapy process can be broken down into three basic parts: Assess, Goals, and Therapy.
So, let’s start at the beginning: Assess.
Think about the last time you met someone who eventually became a trusted friend. You didn’t jump into discussing personal issues after meeting them, right? Of course not! They probably asked a few questions and shared a bit about their background and what they do. This all helped you understand if they were a good match for you.
A therapist will use a similar approach. The first appointment is usually called an intake session. During an intake session, the therapist will introduce themselves, ask you to fill out some forms with them, and then ask you some questions.
One of those forms is an Informed Consent document that you sign when you agree to do therapy. This document usually includes:
your therapist’s information, such as their name and credentials
their policies, such as cancellation and no-show policies
the fee
confidentiality
your rights are a client
After that, they’ll gather additional information about your medical and mental health history, as well as your family history. Try to be as open and honest as possible! It will help your therapist create a treatment plan that’s most beneficial for you.
During the intake session, the therapist will introduce themselves to you and ask you to fill out some forms called intake forms.
Questions you may be asked
After you’ve finished filling out the forms, your therapist might ask you a number of questions to help better understand your background and your current and future Goals.
Some commonly asked questions in a first session include:
What brings you here today?
People go to therapy for lots of different reasons. Consider why you are seeking therapy to give the therapist an idea of your goals.
What do you expect from therapy?
There are a lot of misconceptions about what therapists do. They’re not going to tell you how to feel or behave – you’ve got friends or family if you want that type of advice! Sometimes you need a trusted and objective person to talk things through and to feel supported. Others might be looking to learn better coping skills. Therapists will help you understand yourself, your goals, and how to go about making the best choices for you. And since they’re trained, they’ll also notice any mental health symptoms and can recommend treatment.
Have you been in therapy before? If so, what was that experience like for you?
This question will help the therapist understand your background and needs.
How do you cope with stress?
This information will help the therapist understand what treatments and coping strategies might work best for you.
What are the goals you want to accomplish in therapy?
Think about the things you want to work on. Maybe it’s developing better coping skills to manage stress or improving your relationships.
Who are the supportive people in your life?
Your therapist will want to understand your support system. That might mean talking about your family. For some, this can be an uncomfortable topic, and you are free to share as much as you are comfortable sharing.
While a therapist will ask you questions, remember to share whatever you feel comfortable sharing. Sometimes we need time to think about a question before answering, so it’s okay to hit “pause” on any topic and revisit it later at a pace that works for you.
How you might feel after the first session
After the first session, you might feel pretty drained. That’s normal! Talking about our emotions – especially if we’re not used to doing that – can feel tiring.
You also might be surprised to find yourself opening up to a complete stranger. It’s refreshing to talk to someone who is there to listen and support you in a non-judgemental and confidential way.
I really like this image because it reflects how so many of us felt when we first started seeing a therapist. Through questions and answers, a therapist can help you understand yourself, your patterns, and ways to cope.
During the session, you probably got a good sense of how you and the therapist related to each other. If it felt like a good fit, great! If not, no problem. Finding a therapist that works best for you can take time.
But one of the most important things to remember after your first session is that you’ve made a big step towards improving your health.
So, Now What?
Now that you have an idea of how that first session might unfold, you might feel a bit more relaxed and confident as you prepare for your first appointment.
Here are a few things about therapy to keep in mind:
Find the right fit
You get what you give
Be persistent
Do the work
Trust the process
Article by Dr Rebecca Purc-Stephenson
Applied Social Psychologist and Professor in the Department of Social Sciences
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