It is normal to feel apprehensive before your first appointment with a therapist. This might be the first time you have spoken to someone about the challenges you are experiencing. If you have never been to see a therapist, such as a counsellor or psychologist, you might not know what to expect which can add to any anxiety you may be feeling. The information on this page aims to give you a better idea of what to expect to make you feel more comfortable about going to your first appointment.
Preparing for your appointment.
Before your appointment it can be good to take some time to think about the reasons you are going to therapy.
Ask yourself …
- What are the challenges/ difficulties I have been experiencing and want to discuss?
- What are my goals for therapy? What do I hope to gain from this experience?
- Do I have any questions for my therapist?
You might want to write these thoughts down and take them with you into your appointment.
Arriving at your first appointment.
Going to a therapy appointment is much like going to any other health appointment, such as an appointment with your GP or dentist. When you arrive at your therapist's office there will be a place for you to wait, and when your therapist is ready they will meet you and take you into their office.
It is good to arrive early to your first appointment. This gives you time to find your therapist’s office and complete any paperwork. You may be asked to fill out consent forms, insurance forms, and/ or forms to let your therapist know a bit more about you and your health history.
What happens during the first appointment?
The first appointment is a chance for you and your therapist to get to know each other, for your therapist to learn more about why you have come to therapy, and also for you to determine if this therapist is the right fit for you.
Your therapist will ask lots of questions over this first appointment to gain an understanding of you, your current challenges/ issues/ symptoms, and what you hope to gain from therapy so they can develop a treatment plan.
This appointment is also a chance for you to ask your therapist any questions and to decide if they are the right therapist for you. You might want to ask about their qualifications/ training, what approach they take and methods they use, and if they have experience working with others with similar challenges to you.
After your appointment.
Put aside some time after therapy to reflect on what you discussed in the session. You might want to write some notes on the key things you discussed and what you gained from the session.
Some therapists will give you homework to complete between appointments. This might include keeping a log, journaling, reading a resource, or completing a task.
Choosing the right therapist.
It is important that you find a therapist who is a good match for you. Research has shown that the relationship between therapist and client is important in determining the success of therapy. You should trust your therapist, be comfortable around them, and feel that you can talk openly and honestly with them. You also want a therapist who has experience working with the challenges/ issues you are wanting to address.
Use this first appointment to ask questions and determine if this therapist is a good fit for you. If you decide they are not right for you, that’s ok. They are professionals and they want what is best for you. It may be that a different therapist is a better match.