What to Expect During Your First Therapy Session

Going to therapy for the first time can be a daunting experience. You might be filled with a mix of emotions, ranging from anxiety and nervousness to hope and anticipation. But no matter what you’re feeling, it’s natural to be curious about what to expect during your first therapy session. In this post, we’re going to explore the typical structure of a first therapy session so that you know exactly what you’re walking into.

First things first, your therapist will likely start off the session by asking some intake questions. These might relate to your medical history, current psychological state, and any other factors that could be impacting your mental health. These questions help your therapist get a better understanding of who you are and what brought you to therapy in the first place. Don’t be afraid to be honest – the more your therapist knows, the better they’ll be able to help you.

After the intake questions, you’ll probably spend some time talking about your goals for therapy. What do you want to achieve through this process? Do you have any specific issues or concerns that you’d like to address? Your therapist might also ask about your support system – who you turn to when things get tough, and how you generally cope with stressors in your life.

At this point, your therapist will likely guide the conversation towards some deeper issues. They might ask more probing questions to get to the root of the issues you’re experiencing, or they might suggest different exercises or techniques to help you manage stress and anxiety. Note that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process – the techniques and approaches that work for one person might not work for another. Your therapist will likely work with you to figure out what works best for your unique situation.

As the session comes to a close, your therapist will likely ask if you want to schedule another appointment. The frequency of your sessions will depend on your individual needs, but monthly appointments are common for ongoing therapy. They might also leave you with some homework or exercises to complete before your next session – don’t worry, these are designed to help you progress in your therapy journey.

Overall, it’s important to remember that your first therapy session is just the beginning of your journey towards better mental health. It might take some time to feel comfortable opening up, but with the help of your therapist, you can start to make progress towards your goals. Keep an open mind, commit to the process, and you might just be surprised at what you’re able to achieve.

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