So you’ve been thinking about therapy. Whether you’re going through something right now or you want to process a life event with a mental health professional, a big question is: What does therapy even look like? What can I expect? Let’s dive into all you need to know about a therapy intake session.
What Is The First Therapy Session Like?
I like to describe the first therapy session as an information-gathering time to paint a bigger picture of the person. Some questions your therapist will ask you will feel like they apply to your life, others may not. You will also go over expectations about what therapy will look like during your first session. Things discussed might include:
Group practices policies, such as cancellation and scheduling procedures.
Confidentiality and HIPAA laws, which protect your information from being shared without your consent.
Your goals with therapy.
How To Prepare For Your First Therapy Session
To prepare for the first therapy session, come with the reason you’re seeking therapy. This will help create a plan for your treatment and assist in setting some goals that you’d like to accomplish.
For example, let’s say a client came to therapy because of work stress. They find themselves working late hours and constantly working through their lunch. Something that could be a goal for that person is to set appropriate boundaries so they don’t find themselves burnt out.
A therapist can help you make goals if you aren’t sure what goals you’d like to accomplish.
What Do Therapists Ask During The First Session?
Because the first therapy session will be an information-gathering time, a therapist will be focused on getting to know you. They might ask questions such as:
Have you been in therapy or any other type of mental health treatment in the past?
Are you taking any psychiatric medications? Any other medications?
What is your family, work, and social life like?
Some questions are simple yes or no answers. Others we may talk about more because it applies to the reason why you’ve come to therapy in the first place. Even if something can’t be answered during the first session, it can be talked about in the future.
If you have a psychiatrist you are meeting with already, your therapist may collaborate with your doctor.
Questions To Ask A Therapist During Your First Session
I’m sure there are many questions you may have in your mind about the therapist you meet. Great questions to ask are:
What population does your therapist typically work with?
Do they have any specialties?
Therapists have different styles of treatment, and knowing what your therapist specializes in will help you determine if your therapist will be a good fit for your needs. It’s okay to not know what will work best for you. The only way you’ll know if something works for you is to try.
How To Start Seeing A Therapist
Seeing a therapist or selecting a therapist can be a difficult decision. You’ll find many people on Google and read every blog that ends up sounding alike. A great way to narrow things down is to go through your insurance page to see who accepts your type of insurance. Another way is using popular sites like psychologytoday.com where you can find someone in person or via telehealth.
The last but not least option is looking directly at therapists who work for Lifebulb! Many therapists are still accepting new clients, and therapy can start as quickly as you’d like.
No Waitlists. No Rush. Therapy On Your Time.
Book in less than 10 minutes, and see your therapist within 7 days! Insurance accepted.
