What to Expect During Your First Therapy Session

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsChoosing a TherapistPaperworkFirst SessionTreatment LengthMethodsConfidentialityQuestions to AskFinding the Right Fit

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Choosing a Therapist

Paperwork

First Session

Treatment Length

Methods

Confidentiality

Questions to Ask

Finding the Right Fit

Close

If you have an appointment with a counselor for your firsttherapysession, you might not know what to expect. Or perhaps you’re considering starting therapy but don’t know where to begin. Knowing where to start and what to expect during your first session can help you feel more comfortable and informed.

Learn more about the different types of therapy, what to expect from your first appointment, what questions to ask your therapist, and more.

How to Choose the Best Type of Therapy For You

How to Choose a Therapist

No two therapists are the same. Asking the right questions will help youchoose the best therapist for you. Questions to ask before you make an appointment:

The Best Online Therapy ProgramsWe’ve tried, tested and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain.

Before Your First Therapy Session

When you get to the therapist’s office, expect your initial experience to be similar to a doctor’s appointment. You will sign in when you get there, sit in the waiting room, and wait for someone to call your name. If your therapist has a home practice, the scene might be a bit more casual.

While waiting, you will likely fill out some paperwork, including:

If you feel uncomfortable answering any of the questions on paper, you can wait until you are with the therapist and answer the questions orally. You might also have the option to complete this paperwork at home prior to your first visit.

Your First Therapy Session

Your first session with the therapist will be different from future visits. The initial visit is a period for you and your therapist to get to know each other and get an idea of how to proceed. Future visits will be more therapeutic in nature. For example, in your second session, you may explore a specific symptom, problem, or past trauma you mentioned in the first session.

Keep in mind thatpsychotherapyusually requires multiple visits, so don’t expect any instant solutions to your problems the first day. Therapy is about equipping you with life-long solutions and not a quick fix.

During the first session, your therapist may ask you:

You and your therapist should also come to an agreement about the length of your treatment, methods to be employed, and ins and outs of patient confidentiality.

Length of Treatment

Depending on your issue and therapy goals, therapy can last a few sessions or several weeks or years. While you likely want to know how long it’s going to take to “feel better,” there’s no simple answer. It’s very individualized.

In addition, some insurance plans only cover a set number of sessions in a given year, so you may need to factor in those limitations and/or work with your therapist to come up with a payment plan.

How Long Should I Be in Therapy?

Therapy Methods

Therapists have training in a variety of techniques that can help you better cope with mental illness, resolve personal issues, and create personal changes in your life. Finding out what technique or combination of techniques your therapist will use can give you a better idea of what will happen during your sessions. Some common types of therapy include:

Types of Therapy: An A to Z List of Your Options

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Patient Confidentiality

What to Ask Your Therapist

Questions to Ask During Your First Therapy SessionHow can you assure my confidentiality?How long will each session last?How many sessions will it take to resolve my issue?Will you briefly explain what I can expect to happen in my sessions?

Questions to Ask During Your First Therapy Session

How can you assure my confidentiality?How long will each session last?How many sessions will it take to resolve my issue?Will you briefly explain what I can expect to happen in my sessions?

What Not to Say to Your Therapist

Is Your Therapist Right for You?

A big part ofsuccessful therapyis feeling comfortable with your therapist, which may come over time. However, if after a few meetings, you’re just not clicking, you do have the choice to seek out another therapist.

To determine if you’re receiving the best care from your therapist, the National Alliance on Mental Illnesses recommends asking yourself the following questions:

If your answer to any of these questions is “No,” then it’s likely time to consider changing therapists. At the end of your session, just tell your therapist that you will not be returning. Don’t be surprised if your therapist asks why.

You cananswer honestly(you just feel like you’re not clicking) or just say that you prefer not to say. In most cases, your therapist will be professional and can recommend another therapist who will be a better fit.

A Word From Verywell

Knowing what to expect during your first therapy session can help you feel more prepared. Your first session is often about you and your therapist getting to know one another, determining if the therapist is a good fit for your needs, and going over what you want to accomplish in therapy.

Understanding What Your Therapist Does

4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. 2017.National Conference of State Legislatures.Mental Health Professionals' Duty to Warn.Department of Health & Human Services.HIPAA Privacy Rule and Sharing Information Related to Mental Health.Greenstein L.How Do I Know If My Therapist Is Effective? National Alliance on Mental Illness. 2018.

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. 2017.National Conference of State Legislatures.Mental Health Professionals' Duty to Warn.Department of Health & Human Services.HIPAA Privacy Rule and Sharing Information Related to Mental Health.Greenstein L.How Do I Know If My Therapist Is Effective? National Alliance on Mental Illness. 2018.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Psychological Association.Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. 2017.National Conference of State Legislatures.Mental Health Professionals' Duty to Warn.Department of Health & Human Services.HIPAA Privacy Rule and Sharing Information Related to Mental Health.Greenstein L.How Do I Know If My Therapist Is Effective? National Alliance on Mental Illness. 2018.

American Psychological Association.Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. 2017.

National Conference of State Legislatures.Mental Health Professionals' Duty to Warn.

Department of Health & Human Services.HIPAA Privacy Rule and Sharing Information Related to Mental Health.

Greenstein L.How Do I Know If My Therapist Is Effective? National Alliance on Mental Illness. 2018.

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