Thinking about seeing a counsellor for the first time? If you know what to expect it helps you to be more at ease and have a better outcome.
Because it is your first meeting with you therapist, your first therapy session will be unique. The initial visit is a time for your therapist and yourself to start to get to know each other and to formulate how to progress. This first visit is often quite functional whilst further sessions will be more therapeutic. Therapy is structured and the path that you travel will be based upon the destination that you have agreed with the therapist.
- Your reason for choosing to seek therapy
The Therapist will often be interested whether a specific issue has led you to seek counselling. This will allow them to gain an understanding of the surface or presenting issues. - Your Family History and Current Status
Family and background play an important part in how many of us come to live our lives and in our identity so this often forms an important part of the first meeting. - How you are Currently Affected by the Issues
Often the issues that bring us to therapy affect us across a wide range of areas. The therapist will seek to understand whether there are other symptoms of the issue that brought you in – for example work difficulties. The therapist wants to understand you such that he or she can help you to create solutions to your problems. A therapist will sometimes make diagnosis part of the process, helping to create a path to the resolution of your issues.
The Therapeutic Alliance
Therapy is successful when it is a joint effort. Put simply, you need to participate in order for it to work for you. Coming to therapy is the first step – you now need to continue along the journey. There are some personal pointers to make the first session a success:
- Openness
Although therapists are well-practiced in asking the right questions, it can sometimes be difficult or feel awkward to reply. It helps to be as open as you feel comfortable with. - State your fears
If you have any concerns about the counselling process it is very helpful to let the therapist know as they can then answer them for you. The more that you understand the process, the more helpful it tends to be. - Feelings and Thoughts
Although the first session may bring up many difficult or even upsetting thoughts, it is helpful to share your feelings and reactions with the therapist. This helps both therapist and you to progress.
In further sessions, you may explore a specific symptoms, past traumas or issues which you have previously highlighted. Try to be realistic in your expectations: therapy is rarely a “quick fix” – although this can happen. It is perhaps more helpful to think of it as a “process” through which the therapist will help you to move from difficult or stormy waters into a better place. It is useful to think of the process as effortful but one that, with a strong relationship with the therapist, will help you to resolve your issues.
Therapy, usually requires multiple visits, particularly where issues are deeply rooted so it is unlikely that you will get an instant solution on the first or second session. It is helpful to think of therapy as something which provides long lasting solutions to improve your life.
