Starting therapy for the first time can feel daunting. It is natural to have questions about what will happen and what will be expected of you. This article offers a straightforward overview of how the process typically begins.
Before the Session
The process starts with a brief phone call. This is an opportunity to ask any practical questions and to give a general sense of what has brought you to therapy. It is not a formal session — simply a short conversation to help us both decide whether to proceed with an assessment.
The Assessment
The first formal meeting is an assessment session, which lasts approximately 90 minutes. This is longer than a standard session to allow enough time for you to talk about what is concerning you without feeling rushed.
During the assessment, I will ask some questions about your background and what has prompted you to seek therapy. There is no pressure to share more than you feel comfortable with at this stage. The aim is to build an initial picture and to begin thinking together about whether therapy could be helpful.
What Happens Next
If we both agree that working together would be beneficial, we will discuss practical arrangements — the day and time of your weekly session, fees, and how we will work together. This forms the basis of a therapeutic contract.
If it becomes clear that a different type of support might be more appropriate, I will do my best to suggest alternative options.
A Note on Feeling Nervous
It is entirely normal to feel apprehensive before a first session. Many people do. There is no expectation to have everything figured out or to know exactly what to say. The assessment is simply a starting point — a chance to see whether therapy feels like the right step for you.
If you would like to find out more about therapy, or to arrange an initial conversation, please get in touch.