People who are new to therapy may wonder how to prepare for their initial sessions with the therapist. On TV therapy sessions are often portrayed as being circumstances where a person is talking and the therapist is silent, taking notes and the atmosphere feels pressured for the client to say important things and do all the talking.
Therapy sessions with our team feel completely different than that TV-land approach. To help new clients prepare for their first sessions we’ve prepared a list of five things to know.
1. Comfort is a priority. When you arrive for your session, we want you to be comfortable. We design our offices to feel cozy and professional. Our offices are spaces that people like to be in. We also invite you to wear what makes you feel comfortable. You should feel good and there is no need to dress in a different manner than you would on any given day. Some people bring water, coffee or tea to their sessions and that is ok, too.
2. Our therapists do not sit silently listening to you. Our therapists are active listeners, good conversationalists and are always active and engaging with the client as part of the important work we are undertaking together. You are not expected to come in and do all the talking. Together we will explore the issues that matter most to you.
3. Give thought to what you might like to discuss prior to each session. From session to session we encourage our clients to think about what they would most like to discuss. The focus is led by you as we work with you to gain greater insight and self-knowledge.
4. Each session will include a brief wrap-up. As a session draws to a close your therapist might suggest next steps, priorities or areas that you might focus on until the next session. These thoughts are intended to help continue the important thread of therapeutic engagement. Many clients find this focus helps them advance their progress through therapy.
5. Being on time is important. The first step in therapy is acknowledging our boundaries. We run our practice on time and we ask all clients to arrive on time for their scheduled session. Being on time is the cornerstone of mutual respect and is the perfect place from which we begin a therapeutic relationship.
Engaging in therapy is a process. It’s an important process. We know that it is not always familiar for some people. We want to ensure each client feels welcome, valued and heard. Knowing a little about what to expect during initial therapy sessions helps people find the approach that works best. Working with new clients is something we look forward to as part of our practice.