What Can You Expect During Your First Therapy Session?

1. Introductions and Setting Expectations

• Therapist’s Role and Approach: The therapist may explain their background, therapy style (e.g., cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic), and how sessions typically go.

• Confidentiality: Discussion about privacy, limits of confidentiality (e.g., harm to self or others), and any legal/ethical obligations.

2. Paperwork and Logistics

• Consent Forms: Complete intake forms and consent to treatment prior to the first session.

• Office Policies: These may include session length, cancellation policies, fees, and communication boundaries.
  
  

3. Getting to Know You

The therapist will ask questions to understand:

• Why you’re seeking therapy now

• Your current emotional state and symptoms

• Relevant personal history (family, work, relationships, trauma, medical issues)

• Your goals and expectations for therapy
  

4. Collaborative Goal Setting

• You and the therapist may begin to define what you'd like to get out of therapy—whether it’s symptom relief, personal growth, resolving trauma, or improving relationships.
  
  

5. A Safe Space to Talk

• While it may feel clinical at times, therapists aim to create a non-judgmental, supportive environment.

• You don’t need to “have it all figured out.” It’s okay to feel nervous or unsure.
  
  

6. Ending the Session

• Summarization of key points, offer initial impressions, or suggest a starting focus for upcoming sessions.

• Schedule the next appointment and discuss frequency (e.g., weekly, biweekly).
  
  

Tips for the Client:

• Be honest. It’s okay to be open about discomfort or uncertainty.

• Ask questions about the therapist’s approach, or how they might help with your concerns.

• Don’t worry about saying everything at once. Therapy is a journey.

• You might want to bring a journal or notebook to take notes during the session or to jot down ideas you might want to discuss at the next session.