What to Do Before Going to Your First Therapy Session
September 2023
Making the decision to go into therapy can be difficult for many—it can be even harder to speak with a therapist for the first time. Whether you’ve caught yourself searching for a “depression therapist near me” or you’re questioning your identity, empowering mental health through therapy can help improve your well-being.
It can also help to know what to expect when attending therapy for the first time. Follow these tips to make dipping your toes into therapy all the easier.
Keep Your Phone Handy
If you’ve discovered a therapist you like, the first step will often be a phone consultation. During this discussion, your therapist will determine if they are the best fit for empowering mental health through counseling. They’ll likely want to go over any questions you have, ask about why you’re seeking therapy in the first place, and ask about any goals you want to work toward. You might not have all these answers coming into therapy for the first time, but every answer you give will help your therapist better meet your needs.
Jot Down Some Notes
Therapy works best when you have goals in mind. One way to make your goals a priority is by writing them down so you don’t forget. Before engaging with your therapist, try to answer the following questions:
What are my goals for therapy?
What am I currently doing for self-care?
Are there any topics I’d like to go over?
Do I have any questions about the process?
What are the mental health concerns that I want addressed?
By answering these questions, you can begin determining what will and won’t work for you in therapy. People searching for a depression therapist near me might want to discover coping mechanisms to get them out of a particularly bad slump; on the other hand, those searching for gender-affirming therapy near me online may want to prioritize help with questioning identity issues, gender exploration, and more. Everyone’s journey toward empowerment is different!
Get Comfortable
The benefits of psychotherapy are numerous, but it doesn’t mean it’s always easy. The best way to be honest and open with your therapist is by getting comfortable: physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
Dress for your therapy session in clothing that makes you comfortable. These pressure-free environments are to improve your mental health, not to make you feel judged for wearing mismatched socks. It’ll also be easier to open up to your professional therapist without an itchy collar scratching your neck. You will likely be sitting for a longer period of time, so find comfortable seating, too.
One way Empower Psychotherapy prioritizes comfort is by offering virtual therapy services. After all, connecting with a therapist is easiest when you’re somewhere safe: like you’re own couch. When you’re ready to invest in counseling today, rely on Empower Psychotherapy to help empower your well-being.