Your first therapy session is a big deal. This is the moment when you get to decide if therapy is right for you. It’s may feel a little scary, but it’s also exciting, and, in many cases, it can be the first step toward healing.

Introductions

The first session of therapy is a time to get to know each other and establish a rapport. It's important that you feel comfortable with your therapist, so take this opportunity to ask questions about their training and experience, as well as what they do in their practice. You can also talk about your needs and goals for therapy, which will help determine how long you should continue seeing them if the two of you decide it's an effective fit for both parties.

When paying for your session at the end of it all (or earlier), make sure you have both agreed on payment arrangements before beginning any work together!

Gaining clarity on your needs and concerns.

Therapy is a process of self-discovery and growth. It's an opportunity to explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviours in a safe environment. In therapy you will have the chance to create new patterns of thinking that lead to healthier relationships with yourself and others.

Your therapist will take the time to find out about you and what brought you to therapy. They will ask you about what has been happening in your life and what issues you are struggling with.

During this period, your therapist will be trying to find out everything about you so they ascertain how they can help and devise the right therapeutic pathway for you. They will probably take a lot of notes in the first session, but this is just so they can understand you better and figure out the best way to help you achieve your goals.

Ask Questions

If you're a first-time client, there are lots of things to ask your therapist. Use this first session to ask anything that is on your mind about therapy, the process and your therapist so you feel comfortable working with them. You might want to know:

• What do they do in their sessions?
• How much does it cost? (You can usually find this information on their website.)
• How long have they been working with people like me?

The first session is an opportunity to get to know your therapist. They'll ask questions about your life, and you can ask them questions about their training and experience. You may also want to discuss what types of issues you'd like to work on in therapy - for example, if one of the goals is to improve communication skills or reduce anxiety around public speaking.

Your first session with a therapist may feel a little strange at first, and that’s perfectly normal. But you have taken the first step to finding the answers that you seek and moving towards understanding yourself better and navigating your way through your current struggles towards a better and brighter future.

If you or your close family are struggling with an issue and you’d like to know more about therapy, please contact me for more information about how psychotherapy in Surrey and online can help.