What to Expect at Your First Therapy Session

If you’ve decided to seek the counsel of a professional therapist good for you! Now what? Choosing to see a therapist is a big step, often one chosen in crisis or because things just aren’t going the way you want them to. Maybe you feel like life is passing you by or you’re going through a rough spot in your marriage and you feel some outside help would be beneficial. There is no right or wrong reason to see a therapist, though feeling the need to see one is probably a good indication that something needs addressing.

Whatever the reason you’ve decided to see a therapist it still might be a little scary to reach out, find one and then actually show up for the appointment. What can you expect when you decide to see a therapist?

First of all you’re going to need to find the one that’s right for you. Counseling can be costly so you’ll want to check with your insurance provider to find out if counseling is covered and which therapists are in your network. If your insurance doesn’t cover the costs you can often negotiate a lower rate with the therapist. Many will reduce their rate to fit your budget so don’t be intimidated by the price listed on their website.

If your insurance company has a list of providers you can search the web for information about them. Their website is often a good place to start. Most therapist’s websites will have an about me page describing the credentials and kinds of therapy the counselor employs. Another great resource is Psychology Today where you can search for a therapist based on location, insurance, type of therapy and a host of other factors.

When making the initial call to schedule an appointment many therapists will do a 10 – 30 minute phone consult. This helps both the therapist and you get a good idea if this will be a good fit. If you find yourself opening up over the phone there’s a good chance you’ll like the therapist. If you find you’re put off by their voice, tone or some other characteristic you can’t put your finger on it might be a good indication to keep looking.

Once you’ve made your appointment you may be a bit nervous about what the first session will be like. If you’ve watched any TV or movies you probably have a picture in your head of therapist sitting in a chair while you lie on the couch telling your stories possibly grasping a wad of Kleenex. While many therapists furnish their offices with a couch it’s perfectly acceptable to sit in the chair. The Kleenex may come in handy depending on your reason for seeking the assistance of a therapist.

The first visit is usually all about getting to know you and understanding why you’ve decided to seek therapy. The therapist will probably have you fill out some paper work including information about insurance and billing as well as a brief medical and mental health history. Don’t worry if you don’t know all the answers.

Therapy is a team sport. A good therapist will work with you to achieve goals, manage crises and get through the difficult times we all experience in the course of our lives. The therapist will ask you what you hope to achieve through therapy and will likely plot out a way to get there even if in very general terms.

The first session can be pretty intense if you are in crises or dealing with an emotional issue such as infidelity. If you’re dealing with past trauma, especially from childhood, you might be surprised at how quickly you reach for the box of Kleenex. Don’t worry about doing the ugly cry while talking to your therapist, they’ve seen it all and are trained to sit with you through the storm.

Don’t be surprised if you are exhausted after the first session with your therapist or if you suddenly feel like you have amazing amounts of energy (it’s amazing what unloading your burden can do for energy!). Both reactions are normal, you may even experience both at the same time.

Most sessions last 50 minutes but often the first time visit can be much longer, this is due to the added time of paper work and the therapist wanting to use the time to get to know you before the real work begins. You may schedule a weekly meeting at first, while you get through the storm and then taper down to monthly or as needed.

If you’re looking for a therapist in the Chicago metro area give us a call, we’re currently taking on new patients.