10 Ways to Prepare for Your First Therapy Session
Set Clear Goals: Reflect on what you hope to achieve in therapy. Having a few goals or areas of focus can guide the conversation.
Gather Background Information: Think about your personal history, significant life events, and any patterns in your behavior or emotions you’ve noticed. This background can help your therapist understand your situation better.
Complete Necessary Paperwork: If your therapist has provided any forms or assessments to fill out before the session, complete these in advance. This can include personal information, consent forms, or questionnaires.
List Symptoms or Concerns: Write down any symptoms, feelings, or behaviors that have been troubling you. This can include emotional, physical, or social issues.
Prepare Questions: Consider any questions you have for your therapist about the process, their approach, or therapy in general.
Create a Comfortable Environment: If the session is virtual, choose a quiet, private space where you feel safe and comfortable to talk openly.
Manage Expectations: Understand that therapy is a process, and it might take several sessions to start seeing progress. The first session is mainly about getting to know each other and setting a foundation.
Be Open and Honest: Plan to be as open and honest as possible. Therapy is a safe space where you can discuss your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Practice Self-Compassion: Remind yourself that seeking therapy is a positive step towards self-care and personal growth. It's okay to feel nervous or uncertain.
Stay Flexible: Be prepared for the session to take a different direction than expected. Therapy is an evolving process tailored to your needs.
