Starting out in therapy is a great first step to proactively change your life for the better. But, like any new journey, taking that first step can feel daunting.
We asked Dr Sheri Jacobson for tips on how to put your mind at ease before your first session:
Qualified, professional therapists like those on harleytherapy.com do their best to make people feel as at ease as possible. They might ask you a bit about yourself and what has brought you to therapy. There are no right answers - they will simple want to get to know you and how best they can help.
At the heart of therapy is a relationship between two people and building a trusting relationship can take time. So, while you might not feel completely relaxed in your first meeting, it might help to ask yourself - do I feel listened to? Could I grow to trust this person? And am I comfortable in this environment? For more information on what skills a good therapist has, you can read our tips here.
What will I be asked?
You will usually be asked what has brought you to start therapy and about some of your life experiences. It might be that you have an exact issue, or issues, that are bothering you. But don't worry if you do not have an exact issue you would like to talk about. Maybe you just don’t feel yourself lately and you don't know why. The important thing in your session is to be yourself and to answer any questions to the best of your ability.
What will I find out?
Your therapist should tell you about how they would suggest working together and you are free to ask questions such as the type of therapy they offer, what you may expect from therapy, when and where you will meet, confidentiality and their qualifications, if you would like to.
What if I feel like we aren't a good match?
Building a trusting relationship with a new person can take time. It might take a few sessions to get to know eachother and to decide whether you feel you would like to work together. If you don't feel that you and your therapist are the right match after the first few sessions, it is ok to tell them. A secure therapist will be able to talk about this with you and may even be able to refer you to a different therapist, if you decide this is the best course of action.
If you’ve booked therapy through harleytherapy.com, you can get in touch with our team using the chat box and we can offer you a session with an alternative therapist free of charge, if you decide this is the best thing for you.
If you feel ready to start therapy and transform your life, you can book therapy online here with a trained, professional therapist.
