What To Expect During Your First Therapy Session

Whatever your reason for seeking out counselling, the mere idea of a therapy session can feel very daunting. The fact that you have even come this far is a great breakthrough in making that change for the better in your life. Far too often people believe they just have to cope with whatever life throws at them, some feel a sense of shame at having to ask for help, and others may not know who to turn to. It takes a lot of courage to admit something is wrong and to decide to try and fix it.

Nobody should feel that help is beyond them, and here at The Grove, we provide a safe haven for counselling and therapy, where you can talk to professional therapists in complete confidence, secure in the knowledge that they will actively engage in helping you to solve your problems.

We offer counselling sessions both in-person and online and offer a free 20-minute online video consult for all new clients that can help us match you with the right therapist and the style of therapy they use. Read on to find out more about what to expect during your first therapy session.

Which Type Of Therapist Do I Need?

There are many different therapeutic options available, and countless therapists may use different approaches in their treatment. The important thing to remember is that counselling will not heal you overnight, in fact, the American Psychological Association says that about 50% of people with mental health symptoms require between 15-20 sessions. Whether you have mental health symptoms or other issues, you need to be prepared to give yourself and your therapist time. If you don't feel you are progressing you may just need to try a different therapist or a different approach.

Your first therapy session, like anything you try for the first time, will be a new experience and one where you probably won't know what to expect. For many people, the first session can be extremely intense. Emotions, feelings or memories that your brain has worked hard to hide away in a very deep vault inside you, may come flooding out, whether you want them to or not. This is to be expected by the therapist, but can often be a surprise for the patient.

Your first counselling session can be an emotionally draining experience and can take a lot out of you. It is important to realise that not all your therapy sessions will be as intense as the initial ones. During that first session, your therapist will ask a lot of questions about you, they will want to know what your symptoms are, and how you cope with your situation, and they will be encouraging you to look inward at yourself - something most of us are not very comfortable with. This may bring back memories of past traumas, or feelings you have had buried for a long time. It is important to be honest here because ultimately therapy is about focusing on the things that you can and can't change, and how you respond to certain situations or events. Your therapist cannot help you to learn how to help yourself unless you give them a true account of your situation.

Different Approaches To Counselling Sessions

We know that different therapists use different approaches, and deciding which type of therapy will benefit you the most is not a simple matter, especially when you don't know what to expect during your first therapy session.

Some patients may find that by changing their thought process, they can modify their actions and reactions to a certain situation, this is known as cognitive therapy. behaviour therapy may suit other people better, by learning to change certain behaviours using tools like desensitization. There are also sessions like Art Therapy, which uses creative mediums to express and explore feelings and emotions.

It is important to understand there is no right or wrong in any of the therapeutic approaches, the main thing is finding the one that works for you. That is why during your first session it is so important to be honest with your therapist. The more comprehensively you answer the questions, the better your therapist can match you to a certain style of treatment.

Your therapy sessions are all about you, the choices you make and your response to events in your life. While you may seek recognition for the rights and wrongs of others, your therapist will be focusing on you and helping you to recognise the things you can change in your life, and how to better cope with the things that you can't.