Nervous for your first therapy session? Here are some tips!
We get it, the first session is scary. Nothing like telling your life story to a stranger, right?
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1) Share what you want, skip what you want.
Your therapist will have a lot of questions during the first session. This is just so they can get to know you and understand your situation. Honesty is the best policy, but we understand that we are strangers and you may not want to share everything right away. If there is a question you'd like to skip, just let us know.
2) Wear something comfortable.
If you are looking for a dress and heels or suit and tie kind of therapist, you got the wrong agency. We are all about authenticity here, and we genuinely love being comfortable. So when we say no judgement for wearing comfortable clothes, we really do practice what we preach.
3) Grab a snack, or a pop.
If you are hungry, you should eat. Period. Done. No more explanation.
4) Be somewhere where you are comfortable sharing.
Check your surroundings. If you are doing session via telehealth, just make sure nobody else is around and you are in a place where you can speak freely. For some people, that's their parked car, their living room, or their workplace. We will assume you are in a place where you can speak freely and your privacy is protected.
5) Sit where you are comfortable.
On a chair, a couch, on your bed, or on the floor. It doesn't matter to us! Sit where you are comfortable.
6) Grab a blanket or pillow!
If you are needing a blanket or pillow, grab one. Some of our therapists regularly wear blankets during session, whatever it takes to get comfy!
7) Don't stress about getting a diagnosis.
I'll be honest, if you are using insurance, we have to give you a diagnosis, and while your diagnosis is important, what's more important to us is how you are experiencing your day to day symptoms and how we can help you manage or decrease these!
8) Just be honest.
We want to hear the authentic you, we want you to be honest and as open as you feel comfortable being. Everyone has some experiences that are uncomfortable to share, and everyone has said or done things that they aren't proud of. We get it, and we want to hear it. The more we know about you the better we can understand how to help guide you!
9) It's okay to cuss a little.
You shouldn't hold back your personality for us. So say whatever the hell you want. We sure do!
10) If you know what you need, or don't, tell us.
If there is something you need more of, tell us. If there is something you don't like, tell us! We are here to help you, and we can't do that if you don't tell us! For example, if you need a hard-ass who will hold you call you out, tell us!
We hope this helps! When it comes down to it, get comfy and dive in! If you have any other questions before your first session, let us know! No question is too silly.
