What to Expect When You Start Therapy

What to Expect When You Start Therapy

You can expect that during the first session your new therapist will review policies and paperwork, tell you about themselves, ask several questions and give you space to ask questions of them. Every therapist has their own style, so it’s also about getting to know one another and building a client-therapist connection. The rest of this post will give you a brief overview of what to expect from your therapist and a list of your rights as a client. You’ll also get an idea of what the assessment and treatment planning stages might look like.

During the first session, a therapist should tell you:

·       Their training and type of license

·       Their supervisor’s name and contact info if they are not licensed

·       What style of therapy they use

·       How to contact them, availability, and what to do in an emergency

·       Fee policy

·       Cancellation policy

·       How long therapy takes and how you know when it’s done

·       Risks and benefits of therapy

·       How to file a complaint against them

·       What types of information cannot be kept confidential, such as safety risks or abuse against a protected group (minors, elders, dependent adults)

As the client, you have the right:

·       To know the fees for service ahead of time

·       To ask questions about your treatment and alternative treatments

·       To request your records or a summary of records

·       To end therapy at any time

·       To know what types of interventions are being done and why

·       To understand which types of information can and cannot be kept confidential during treatment

·       To know risks and benefits of therapy

·       To request referrals to a new therapist or health professional (such as psychiatrist, group therapy, support group)

·       To have your physical and emotional boundaries respected (a therapist should really never physically touch you, other than maybe a handshake)

If your rights are violated, you can file a legal or ethical complaint against the therapist’s license.

What to expect in the first 1-3 sessions:
The first few sessions involve some form of assessment and treatment planning. Sometimes, this information is gathered on a questionnaire before your first session. The purpose of the assessment is for your therapist to understand what is concerning you, how long you’ve been dealing with these issues, and to screen for any safety concerns. The therapist will also be asking about your past to get a better idea of who you are.

Expect to be asked about the following but know that you can choose to not answer any questions:

·       Your mood

·       Sleep and appetite

·       History/timeline of your symptoms

·       Job and educational history

·       Family History

·       Physical/Medical History

·       Substance use and frequency

·       Trauma History

·       Crisis or safety concerns

During treatment planning, your therapist will collaborate with you to create a treatment goal/direction for therapy. You should have a shared understanding of the priorities of your sessions, what you’re going to focus on, and how you’ll know when you no longer need therapy.

Examples of treatment goals:
Reduce panic attacks from two times a week to zero times a week.
Manage my anxiety.
Do more activities that I enjoy to improve my mood.

Remember, if you meet a new therapist and don’t feel comfortable or that they are the right fit for you, feel free to discuss this with your therapist and ask them for referrals to other local clinicians. See our guide to finding a therapist for other suggestions.

Starting therapy can be a daunting process. It may take a few sessions to feel more comfortable and open with your therapist, since you’re meeting someone new in a very unique type of setting. Feel free to discuss these feelings with your therapist and to ask any questions throughout the process!