What to expect in your first therapy session

You’re probably reading this because you’re unsure of what to expect in your first therapy session. And, if we’re being honest, you may even be nervous, which is completely normal. While I can’t speak for every therapist out there, here’s what you can expect when you meet for your first session with me.

“Housekeeping items”
Although you’ll have completed paperwork before your first session, you and I will go over a few policies and procedures. This isn’t to try to bore you right off the bat, but to give you key pieces of information to set you up for success for the rest of the first session and the rest of the sessions you attend. I’d rather talk about practical details up front so that we have no confusion later on.

Let’s talk about you!
Before we even talk about what’s bringing you to therapy, I’ll spend time learning about you. First and foremost, you’re a person who has interests, important people, a history, and maybe (hopefully) even some pet photos to share. I want to get to know you as a person, not just as a “client.”

Let’s talk about therapy
Finally, we’ll jump in to talk a bit more about why you’re here (though we’ll definitely do that in our free consultation call) and what you hope to see shift for yourself. I’ll always follow your lead here — if you want to jump in and start telling me all the hard things, that’s great. If you want to save all the hard things for a later date, I totally get that!

We’ll confirm our next appointment and that’s it. You can give yourself a pat on the back because you’ll have made it through your first therapy session.

Let’s take the first step together. Schedule a free phone consultation today by clicking on the link on my contact page.

___

Erin Drum, LCSW, is a mental health therapist in Salt Lake City, Utah who provides EMDR and IFS (among other treatments) to help clients find inner peace and acceptance.