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During my first session with a client, the main goal is to have an introduction to the work that we will do together. We typically discuss topics such as:
During my first session with a client, the main goal is to have an introduction to the work that we will do together. We typically discuss topics such as:
How therapy works, including confidentiality
What to expect in working together
My therapy approach
What brings the client into counseling
What the client would like to get out of therapy
What the client’s strengths are
Whether the client has been in therapy before
How the client typically copes with stressors
Whether the client has a support system
Information about the client’s life in general, including the client’s history
Some people know exactly what they want to get out of therapy (for example, they want to cope with a divorce or address depression). In these cases, we spend time in the first session exploring the identified issue, such as finding when the struggle started, how severe or intense the struggle is, what the client has already done to address the struggle, and ways we can address the struggle together in therapy.
Other people may not have one specific issue in mind that they want to focus on in therapy, and that’s okay, too. Some people know something feels “off” but struggle to put into words what they want to change. We spend time in the first session together exploring possible areas of concern for the client. Sometimes we spend several sessions exploring this, as some issues are deep rooted and take time to identify. However, this time is often well spent, and once we begin to clarify the client’s concerns, the client often experiences a noticeable sense of relief. From there, we work together to address the identified concerns.
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