What can I expect in my first counseling session?
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So, you’ve booked yourself in for your first-ever therapy session. First of all, congratulations on taking this important step toward becoming your best self. Admitting we need professional help isn’t easy, and therapy is not for the faint of heart. Yes, attending therapy can be a challenge – it can bring up all sorts of raw emotions, past traumas, and even things we didn’t know or realize about ourselves.
So, what should you expect from your first counseling session? Stay with us as we explain what to expect from yourself, your therapist, and your therapy sessions as you pursue this rewarding journey to self-improvement.
Before Your Therapy Session: What to Expect From Yourself
Before attending your first counseling session, it’s normal to feel nervous. Anxious, even. Yes, pre-therapy nervousness is a common thing, and it’s not something you should beat yourself up about. Instead, remind yourself how strong you’re being by admitting you need help. Not everyone has this much strength, self-awareness, or even the willingness to accept that they need support.
But in the end, that is what therapy is for. To support you through tough times and assist you in coping with all of life’s challenges. There’s no shame in seeking help, and indeed, with a rapidly growing number of Americans seeking therapy today, even society’s stigma around going to a counseling session is reducing. This is great news for anyone who is considering attending therapy or who has bitten the bullet and made their first appointment. Despite this, it’s still completely normal to feel a little anxious about attending your first session, and it’s okay to expect this from yourself.
During Your Therapy Session: What to Expect From Your Therapist
When going to see a counselor for the first time, you want to know that you can trust them. Be sure to do your research – make sure they’ve completed the requisite qualifications, and that they’ve attained a formal license or accreditation like a Masters of Counseling online.
As well as this, you want to feel comfortable around your therapist. How can you open up to a total stranger (albeit a formally licensed one) if you don’t feel at ease in their presence? Of course, it will be difficult to ascertain how you will feel about your therapist until you are at your session. So, during your session, be sure to tune in to your gut feelings. Does your therapist make you feel you can easily open up to them? Do you feel they provide a balance of active listening and also that they provide insightful advice where required?
How we feel around our therapist can differ for every patient. Some patients respond to a more direct, straightforward approach. Others may simply prefer having a safe, non-judgmental space to let things off their chest. Either way, it’s up to you to decide whether your therapist is meeting your expectations and providing what you need during your session.
After Your Therapy Session: What to Expect Moving Forward
You’ve done it – you’ve attended your first therapy session. First of all, well done. Taking this step in and of itself is something you should be proud of. Many people will never pursue the journey towards self-healing, and often, it’s the people who need therapy the most that avoid it. Why? Some people are reluctant to go to therapy or to admit that they need professional help. But you’re different. You’ve actively committed to your healing, self-improvement, and self-empowerment, and you’ve taken an important step on the road to becoming your best self.
But the truth? Now that you’ve attended your first session, you can’t stop there. No, according to the American Psychological Association (APA), going to just one therapy session won’t cure you straight away. Indeed, the APA advises that most therapy patients need to attend between 15 – 20 sessions before they see a real improvement in their symptoms.
So, now that you’ve committed to attending therapy, you’re in it for the long haul. The good news, though? By attending your therapy sessions consistently and regularly, you’ll likely experience considerable progress – especially in how you deal with everything life throws at you.
