What to Expect at Your First Session
These are the questions we’re trying to answer in the first session:
• What is your primary concern?
• Can you give me an example of your concern?
• What background information would I need to know to make sense of your concern?
Frequently people will feel apprehensive about talking to a psychologist for the first time. After all, you’re trying to explain your personal life to someone you’ve just met, and chances are, your situation is complicated, otherwise you wouldn’t feel the need to consult a psychologist in the first place. What most people find, however, is that they settle into the session quite quickly, especially once they realize my job is to join forces with them as they work to address their problems. Indeed, therapy is a highly collaborative endeavor.
The first session is designed to assess your goals and needs so we can begin to formulate a plan of treatment. But it’s equally important for you to determine if you feel comfortable working with me. In therapy (as in life) fit is everything.
Generally, the first session takes a little longer than standard sessions, so I tell people to allow up to 75 minutes for the first visit. We may not need all of the time, but if we both set it aside we have it if we need it.
At the end of our first session, I’ll share my general impressions with you and whether I believe therapy can be helpful for you. If we agree to work together, it’s helpful if we can set up a regular pattern of appointments.