During the first session, your therapist may ask you:
- What are your symptoms?
- What brought you to therapy?
- What do you feel is wrong in your life?
- Some questions about your history, including your childhood, education, relationships (family, romantic, friends), your current living situation, and your career
What can I expect in a counselling session?
Counselling sessions are also confidential, so you can talk about things you might not feel comfortable discussing with anyone else. It’s normal to experience nerves, anxiety, fear, excitement and hope, as well as many other thought processes. What will my counsellor be like? Will they understand how I’m feeling?
What can I expect during the first session?
During the first session, you can expect to fill out paperwork, just as you would the first time you go to a new doctor or dentist. This will range from your family history and medical history to your insurance information.
How will my first session with the therapist be different?
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.
What should be included in a counselling contract?
A counselling contract will usually cover the following areas: Time and day(s) of session(s) Duration of the session (usually 50 minutes) How many sessions are available. What approach the counsellor uses (click here to find out more about this)
What should I expect at my first counseling session?
The therapist will ask questions about your presenting concerns, as well as your history and background. Most likely, you'll find yourself talking about your current symptoms or struggles, as well saying a bit about your relationships, your interests, your strengths, and your goals.
What is the first counseling process?
Stage 1: Initial Disclosure In this stage, you want to practice all the basic counselor skills that we discussed in the Basic Counselor Skills video, such as empathy, genuineness, unconditional positive regard, etc. Here are some practical tips for helping to build a relationship with your client: Introduce yourself.
What is the first step in preparing for a counseling session?
As your first appointment nears, here are some ways to mentally and physically prepare yourself:Set Goals. ... Have Realistic Expectations. ... Give Yourself Credit. ... Schedule Your First Session at a Convenient Time. ... Reserve Time for Yourself Before the Session. ... Dress for Comfort. ... Don't Be Afraid to Ask Questions. ... Be Open and Honest.More items...•
What are the 5 stages to a counseling session?
The basic stages of counseling are: 1) Developing the client/clinician relationship; 2) Clarifying and assessing the presenting problem or situation; 3) Identifying and setting counseling or treatment goals; 4) Designing and implementing interventions; and 5) Planning, termination, and follow-up.
What questions do therapists ask in the first session?
During the first session, your therapist may ask you:What are your symptoms?What brought you to therapy?What do you feel is wrong in your life?Some questions about your history, including your childhood, education, relationships (family, romantic, friends), your current living situation, and your career.
What phase of counseling is the most difficult?
Phase 3: Exploration/Working Phase — Making Progress This is where you're diving into the issues and working on yourself. It's the hardest part of therapy.
How do clients feel in first Counselling session?
Here are some hints and tips about what to expect during your first counselling session. It's normal to wonder what you are about to get yourself into. Making that first step to go for counselling can be a very brave move to make. Nerves, anxiety, fear, excitement, hope and many other feelings might be floating around.
What are the 5 P's in Counselling?
The 5Ps highlight an approach that incorporates Presenting, Predisposing, Precipitating, Perpetuating, and Protective factors to a consumer's presentation.
What questions do therapists ask?
9 Common Questions in TherapyWhat brings you here today?Have you ever seen a counselor/therapist/psychologist before?What do you see as being the biggest problem?How does this problem make you feel?What makes the problem better?What positive changes would you like to see happen in your life?More items...•
What are the 6 core conditions in counselling?
' The conditions are:Psychological contact between counsellor and client.The client is incongruent (anxious or vulnerable)The counsellor is congruent.The client receives empathy from the counsellor.The counsellor shows unconditional positive regard towards the client.More items...
How do I prepare for counselling?
Before you go to your sessions, think about how to describe “what's wrong,” and how to describe your feelings. One way to prepare is to write it down first. You could try reading it out loud after you've written it down. Hearing yourself say it a few times will help you describe things more clearly to your therapist.
What are the 3 main areas of counselling?
So, what are the three main types of counseling? Psychodynamic, humanistic, and behavioral approaches are the most common and each support different individual therapies.
What are the stages of Counselling process?
Stages of the counselling process:Initial Disclosure- Relationship Building,In-depth Exploration - Problem Assessment.Commitment to action - Goal Setting.Step 1: Relationship Building.Step 2: Problem Assessment.Step 3: Goal Setting.Step 4: Counselling Intervention.Step 5: Evaluation, Termination.More items...
What are the 3 stages of counseling?
The first stage, exploration, involves helping the client examine his or her thoughts and feelings. The second stage, insight, helps clients understand the reasons for these thoughts and feelings. The third stage, action, involves the client making changes.
What are the 4 stages of counseling?
The Four-Stage Counseling ProcessIdentify the need for counseling.Prepare for counseling.Conduct the counseling session.Follow-up.
What are the 6 processes of counseling?
Terms in this set (6)Information Gathering. The counselor gathers as much information as is realistically possible in order to amke a valid assessment and treatment plan. ... Evaluation. Nature and severity of the presenting symptoms. ... Feedback. ... Counseling Agreement. ... Changing Behavior. ... Termination.
What can you include in a counselling session?
This can include: Your relationships. Your childhood. Your emotions. Your thoughts. Your behaviour. Situations or events you find difficult. What has brought you to counselling at this specific moment in your life. Finding out what your goals are for counselling.
What is the best way to start a mental health recovery?
Making the decision to begin counselling is a positive step and can offer support to help you find ways to move towards a positive mental health recovery. Your therapist can help you gain a better understanding of your feelings and thought processes, and find your own solutions to problems, but they won't usually give advice or tell you what to do. ...
How long does it take to get a breath assessment?
At Breathe, you are required to attend a 30 minute assessment with our Head Counsellor before your counselling sessions start. During the assessment you will be asked certain questions about you and your life. This information ensures you are assigned with the most suitable counsellor, best matched to your needs.
What to ask a counsellor at a counseling appointment?
At your appointment, you'll be encouraged to talk about your feelings and emotions without any judgment or criticism. Your counsellor will ask you questions that will help them gain a deeper understanding of the issues important to you. This can include: Your relationships. Your childhood. Your emotions.
What is the relationship between client and counsellor?
The relationship between the client and counsellor is central to the ongoing sessions and where a greater understanding of your concerns can be achieved.
Is counseling confidential?
Counselling sessions are also confidential, so you can talk about things you might not feel comfortable discussing with anyone else.
Is counseling a journey?
Counselling can be a journey of self-discovery and it can be life changing experience, but it can also be hard work, emotional and challenging.
What Should I Expect at My First Counseling Session?
Once you’ve taken care of all the paperwork and discussed confidentiality, it’s time to get down to business and discuss why you’ve decided to begin counseling. “Your therapist will want to spend the first session getting to know you,” says Marsh. Potential questions may include:
What is thriveworks counseling?
If you’re looking for a counselor or therapist near you, consider working with a mental health counselor at Thriveworks. Our counselors have the necessary skills, training, and experience it takes to help you find greater happiness or success. Additionally, they specialize in offering different types of counseling including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). You can schedule an appointment today at a location near you, or book an online counseling session.
What age do you have to report child abuse?
For children under the age of 19, it may be that some information will be shared with the parents, as needed, and the counselor is legally required to report all suspected child abuse to the proper authorities.”. Your intake appointment will cover all of the normal bases of meeting with a new healthcare provider.
Who is Wendela Marsh?
Wendela Marsh, Therapist and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst , is here to help us explain everything you can expect from filling out paperwork at your intake appointment to meeting your counselor and building a successful therapeutic relationship:
Do counselors have to report child abuse?
For children under the age of 19, it may be that some information will be shared with the parents, as needed, and the counselor is legally required to report all suspected child abuse to the proper authorities.”
Who is Taylor Bennett?
Taylor Bennett is the Content Development Manager at Thriveworks. She devotes herself to distributing important information about mental health and wellbeing, writing mental health news and self-improvement tips daily. Taylor received her bachelor’s degree in multimedia journalism, with minors in professional writing and leadership from Virginia Tech. She is a co-author of Leaving Depression Behind: An Interactive, Choose Your Path Book and has published content on Thought Catalog, Odyssey, and The Traveling Parent.
What is the most important tool in therapy?
Remember that your therapist is human. Therapists have a lot of professional training and some helpful techniques and theory, but the most important “tool” that we have is that we are also human beings. We have lived through our own demons, our own losses and challenges and our own share of difficult relationships. While our personal experiences are not the focus of your therapy time, you should know that we are working hard to understand where you are coming from and to empathize with you. When I meet with a client, I am drawing on a deep well of common human struggle to support and understand their perspective.
How to start a new client session?
I usually start an initial session off by greeting a new client, asking about their day, just general nice person small talk. Because it’s important to feel like you’re easing your way in to a conversation with a stranger about your “big things”. So I will make sure a new client has a comfortable seat, has found my office without too much stress, has a place to put their things and is able to settle in.
Why do people go to therapy?
At the same time, recognize that you WILL feel uncomfortable. People enter therapy because there is a problem. Usually facing problems isn’t what we choose to do with our leisure time and there is a reason for that- avoidance is easier.
What is the right fit for a therapist?
It is so important that you find the right fit in a therapist, and one size does not fit all. You should feel a warmth, a welcoming attitude and an earnest desire to see things from your perspective and help you acheive your goals. This is really a sense of “vibe” rather than anything that might be easy to identify.
What would you say if you were to fast forward to 6-12 months from now?
If you were to fast forward to 6-12 months from now and in that future you could say, “Therapy is really helping me and I’m glad I’ve been going”, what would look different in your life? How would you know I had been helpful to you?
Is anxiety provoking enough to talk about?
It is anxiety provoking enough to think about facing your struggles and starting to openly talk about them with another human being. So let’s identify some common elements of a first counseling session, talk about ways of engaging most effectively at your first therapy session and identify a few ways to calm yourself so ...
Is therapy a process?
Remember that therapy is a process that will unfold over time. Probably not much will change after your first session. You are going to walk out having started getting your therapist up to speed on the complex issues you are facing, but it will be something that you continue to revisit and unpack at each session.
What if Our Goals are Different?
You could be going into counseling hopeful that the relationship is worth fighting for, while your partner is not so sure. This could make your initial goals a bit different from each other.
How to approach couples counseling?
Building trust with a therapist can take a long time, as well as healing your relationship. The best way to approach your first few sessions of couples counseling is to go in with an open mind, and be honest with yourself, your partner, and your therapist.
Why is it important to talk to a therapist about your relationship?
It is essential to be open and honest about your relationship history with your therapist because it is the basis for setting goals in counseling. Once the significant issues of your relationship are highlighted, you will all work together to find ways to improve those areas of distress within your relationship.
What to expect in a first therapy session?
During the first session, expect to discuss the history of your relationship distress. The therapist will want to know the main problems you are experiencing, and what causes most of your stress within the relationship.
How to be successful in couples therapy?
To be successful in couples therapy, you must find balance when working on relationship issues with your partner. Whether you choose to part ways or work through your relationship issues, the therapist will determine a treatment plan that fits your needs, promoting healing and positivity (regardless of the outcome).
How does confidence affect therapy?
Confidence in your therapist will leave you feeling relieved and comforted by the fact that you feel understood during therapy. If not, you will likely not trust the therapist, leading to doubts and distress in therapy (and your relationship). Feeling understood is more than just being taken seriously.
What is the purpose of individual therapy sessions?
The purpose of the individual session is for the therapist to receive some background and history on each of you separately and give the counselor a chance to be more understanding to each of your specific needs. After that initial session together, you may have one (maybe a second) individual session, and for the rest of your sessions, ...
Is Your Therapist Right for You?
A big part of successful therapy is 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.
What is the duty of a therapist to warn?
While the specifics of a legal duty to warn vary by state, in most cases, a therapist is required to breach confidentiality if a client poses an imminent threat to themselves, the therapist, or a third party. The information must be divulged to a person capable of taking action to reduce the threat, for example, a police officer.
What is client centered therapy?
Some common types of therapy include: Client-centered therapy (person-centered therapy): A non-directive form of talk therapy that emphasizes positive unconditional regard.
How many visits does a psychotherapist need?
Keep in mind that psychotherapy usually 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:
How to get to a therapist's office?
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.
What to ask a therapist?
You can use this opportunity to get to know your therapist a little better by asking more about their training, experience, approaches, and goals for therapy.
What is the first session of therapy?
Your first session with the therapist will be different from future visits. The initial visit is a period for you and your the rapist 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.
