new to therapy? what to expect
Starting therapy can be overwhelming, just like any new undertaking can be. You may not know what to expect, as media depictions of therapy are not always the most accurate (looking at you, Dr. Melfi!), and the people in your life who go to therapy may keep the details private.
While every therapist and practice has their own unique process, here is a general format based on how I approach the start of therapy.
Consultation - some therapists offer a brief phone consultation to ensure it’s a good fit, answer questions, and hammer out details, while others send intake forms for you to complete with the same purpose in mind. I recommend a phone call as a personal connection is important to ensure it’s a good therapeutic fit. The therapist might ask you a few questions about what you are looking to address in therapy, and you can ask questions of your own, such as - “how do you typically work with the issues I’m looking for help with?” “what does a session with you look like?” It’s also a time to get information re: fees, scheduling, insurance, and the like.
Initial intake forms - for online therapy, these are typically sent through a secure online system, and contain questions about why you are reaching out for therapy, your history, relevant medical and family info, etc. You will also receive information about the therapist’s policies for your review.
Intake session - your first therapy session is a continuation of the “get to know you process”, and you can also get into more specifics such as your goals and what you would like to focus on in therapy. Sometimes you might not know that answer, you just know you want things to be different because they are currently painful or uncomfortable. That’s okay, too. Your therapist can guide you with questions to help both of you better understand your needs and develop a plan moving forward.
First few sessions - the first few sessions continue to involve getting to know you better while also incorporating some therapeutic strategies. I typically summarize themes at the end of each session and ask what you would like to focus on in the next session to provide a thread from one week to the next. Starting at around session 3-4, you & your therapist generally know each other well and they can provide more detailed support, feedback and strategies. Some clients benefit from optional “homework” such as journaling prompts, mindfulness strategies, or readings/podcasts/videos in between sessions. At this point you are probably in the groove of therapy, and have a better idea of what to expect week to week.
I hope this is helpful if you are considering taking the leap & starting therapy! I think you will find the risk is well worth the benefits.
