What to expect in your first therapy session
Your first session with a psychologist can be both an important and reassuring step towards addressing your mental health needs. It can also be daunting, especially if this is your very first therapy experience. Here's what you can typically expect:
1. Introduction and Building Rapport
Introductions: The psychologist will introduce themselves and explain their background, qualifications, and areas of expertise. Now, this may have already happened in an introductory conversation. Most psychologists will engage a client before session one to help determine if they might be a good fit for your needs. You might discuss things like your concerns, mental health goals, the experience of the psychologist and fee arrangements.
Setting the tone: The psychologist will engage in some small talk to make you feel comfortable and at ease.
2. Confidentiality Explanation
Privacy and confidentiality Policy: Your psychologist will explain the confidentiality rules, including the limits of confidentiality (e.g., situations where they might need to break confidentiality, such as risk of harm to yourself or others). They may also be required to liaise with other practitioners regarding your sessions. For example, a progress report to your referring general practitioner.
3. Understanding Your Concerns
Reason for Visit: They will ask about the main reasons you're seeking therapy and what you hope to achieve.
History Taking: Expect questions about your personal history, including family background, medical history, mental health history, and any previous therapy experiences.
4. Assessment
Questionnaires and Tests: You might be asked to fill out some forms or questionnaires to help assess your mental health status. Again, you may have done this before you show up for your first session. Some tests however are best administrated by the psychologist in sessions.
Open-Ended Questions: The psychologist will ask open-ended questions to better understand your thoughts, feelings, behaviours and mental challenges.
5. Goal Setting
Setting Goals: Sometimes, your first session may not get far enough to discuss clear goals and desired therapy outcomes. however, If you do, you will discuss what you want to get out of therapy. This might include specific goals or more general outcomes like improving overall wellbeing.
Goal Agreement: You and the psychologist will come to an agreement on the goals and the direction of your therapy.
6. Therapy Plan
Treatment Plan: The psychologist might outline a preliminary treatment plan, explaining the methods and approaches they might use.
Session Structure: They will explain how future sessions will be structured and what kind of commitment is needed.
7. Questions and Clarifications
Your Questions: You should have the opportunity to ask any questions about the process, the psychologist's approach, and what to expect in future sessions if this hasn’t already been discussed.
8. Next Steps
Scheduling: The session will end with scheduling your next appointment and possibly discussing any initial steps you can take before the next session.
Homework: Sometimes, the psychologist might give you homework or things to think about before the next session.
General Tips for Your First Session
Be Open and Honest: The more open and honest you are, the more effective the therapy will be.
Therapy Takes Time: Building a therapeutic relationship and seeing progress takes time.
Take Notes: If it helps, take notes during the session to remember important points or questions you might have for later.
Reflect Afterward: Spend some time after the session reflecting on how you felt and what you discussed.
The first session primarily gathers information, establishes a connection, and sets the foundation for future work. It's normal to feel nervous but remember that the psychologist is there to assist and support you.
