So, you’ve decided to book in for your first counselling session. This can feel daunting and it’s perfectly normal to feel a bit nervous. It takes strength and courage to take the first step, and knowing what to expect might help you feel a little more prepared and at ease. Here we explore a detailed guide on what to expect in your first session.
Booking and Preparation
After you have booked in, you will receive an email with two key documents:
A copy of my working agreement (or counselling contract). This sounds formal, but as counsellors, we adhere to strict ethical guidelines ensuring clarity and transparency. The working agreement outlines several practical aspects, including:
- Session details
- Confidentially and boundaries
- Cancellations and payment
- Security when working online
- Contingency plans for technology failures
- Record keeping
- Use of supervision
The intake form: This form asks you to consider what you are looking to address in counselling. It also asks for basic details such as your address, contact information, and current medication.
Joining Our Session
Depending on your chosen method, here’s what to expect:
Telephone Appointment: I will call you at the scheduled time.
Online Session: I will email you a link to our session, ensuring you have clear instructions to access the meeting room.
The First Counselling Session
Sometimes referred to as a counselling assessment, the first session differs from regular sessions. Don’t be put off by the term “assessment”. The aim is review the intake form and gather further relevant clinical information, such as:
- What brought you to counselling?
- How are these issues impacting your daily life?
- Have you experienced counselling before?
- If so, what helped, or didn’t help?
- What are you hoping to achieve through counselling?
This exploration helps us to identify core issues and decide on a focus for future sessions. I will also explain my counselling approach and answer any questions you may have.
Finding the Right Fit
It’s essential to feel comfortable with your counsellor. So it’s perfectly okay to search around until you find the right fit for you. Sometimes, based on our conversation, I may even suggest a counsellor with a different approach or speciality that might better suit your needs.
By the End of the First Session
By the end of the first session, you should have an understanding of:
- What counselling involves
- How counselling can benefit you
- The practical aspects of our work together
It’s important you feel comfortable, and listened to without feeling judged.
What Next?
If you have any questions, or would like to book in, please contact me.