First Counseling Session!

You were brave enough to call and schedule your first appointment!! Did you ask for directions? If not its ok just do a google search for the office if you don’t want to call back. Some offices ask you to arrive early for the first appointment to fill out paperwork (If you called Vitality Counseling, we have you fill out intake forms online before your first session.) Now that the hard part is over what do you do now?

Here are some things you should consider before or during your first session.

Honesty

We are not mind readers (therapists: counselor, social workers, marriage and family therapist, psychologists, and psychiatrists). Continue to be brave and tell us the reason you called and showed up today. The more honest you are with yourself and with us the more benefit you will get out of your sessions.

Priority

We know that the concerns that lead to you seeking out help do not occur in a vacuum. The likelihood is that you have several concerns or issues that you would like to discuss. The standard suggestion is that you start with the one that is distressing you the most. The therapist may have some suggestions on where to begin but the decision is ultimately up to you.

Work

Nothing about change is easy. Something as profound as changing a thought process or behavior doesn’t happen overnight. There will be work in and outside of the sessions to reinforce the discoveries and epiphanies. Once you have learned new skills, you will still need to practice them. Please do not assume that the realization of a faulty process is all you need to change a thought process or behavior pattern n n.

Collaboration

Despite the expertise of your clinician, you are the expert of your life. Without your input as to how the treatment is working outside of the office, the subsequent session will not progress. The process of therapy requires the client and the therapist to work side by side to move forward. The therapist may be providing professional insight but the client sets the pace. The two together decided how long this relationship is beneficial.

Commitment

For some, when the work gets difficult the commitment to change or improve their lives gets lost. This can be avoided if you set your intentions early, remember why you called! To be more present in your life for you or your family. To live a more peaceful life where you love and respect yourself. To just be happy. Your reason for contacting a therapist is important and if you remind yourself daily of why you started this journey the work required will not seem so bad at all.

Patience

Everything happens in its own time. Cut yourself some slack. A change will happen.