01 June 2022

What happens in your first session?

The first session is an introduction and opportunity to decide whether you and your therapist can work together. Your therapist will usually give you brief information regarding confidentiality, cancellations and payments. This will form part of how you will work together. Your therapist will usually ask you some questions to begin to get to know you. They may follow a structured questionnaire or it may be just a free-flowing conversation between the two of you. It can also be a bit of both.

Your therapist will try to understand your current situation, what brings you to therapy and your expectations from therapy. They may ask about any previous experience of therapy. These questions will help your therapist to build a picture of where you are right now, and where you would like to go. The first session is also an opportunity for you to find about your therapist. You can ask them about the structure of the sessions, their modality, training, what happens when there are missed sessions, holidays etc.

In your first session, you may find yourself with a lot to say or you may struggle to find the words. Whatever you experience is completely normal. Please pay attention to your feelings, as they are information for you. It is important that you feel safe so that you can begin to form a trusting relationship. If you have any questions regarding the first session, please do not hesitate to get in touch.