What to expect in Therapy
Therapy, for the first time, can be a scary thing for some people; this is an entirely normal and valid feeling. We wrote this so you know what to expect, learn what therapy is, and get the most out of each session.
What actually is Therapy?
Every client & therapist has a unique therapeutic relationship structured around your specific needs in the context of your life. No two treatments are the same because no two people are the same. However, there are some general patterns we may follow.
- We will spend a few sessions getting to know you, your life, your values, and a bit about your history. Understanding the complete picture of who you are, means we can tailor treatment to your needs.
- We want to know your long-term and short-term goals. We can work on them together if you’re having trouble identifying goals. Let us know where you want your life to be after a few months and what you’d like to work on this week.
- Imagine your therapist as a guide, walking alongside you on a path in the forest. We work to point out things you might bump into, like trees or rocks. We give you tools to spot those things for yourself and how to not let them trip you up in the future.
- You’re in control of your sessions and our time together. You have everything you need to live the life you want. We’re here to help you see it and bring it out. If you’re not ready to talk about something, we’ll wait until you are.
- We are constantly working together. You never have to go through anything alone. No matter what you’re feeling, we’re together on that call or in that room.
- If you’re feeling highly uncomfortable in therapy, let us know. We’re trained to monitor how you’re doing and ensure you’re not feeling too uncomfortable. We’ll talk about sensitive topics that can be hard to discuss. Remember, you’re in control.
Your first therapy session with us
The truth is most people don’t continue beyond their first therapy session. We think that’s because most other therapists don’t prepare people for what the first session is like. Your first session in therapy is not typical. This is usually called an Intake Session. For a lot of people, it can feel awkward. The first session is for us to learn as much about all the different parts of your life. We ask many questions and stay on each topic for only a few minutes. We ask about your family, relationships, work, identity, health, habits, etc.
We invite you to trust the process and know that we will start the therapy work together after your intake session.
Therapy takes work and a lot of trust
There is a lot of value to gain from the work you do during your one-hour weekly sessions. However, continue practicing what you learn during the week to get the most from your sessions. Therapy is a lot of learning and training the mind to perceive the world differently than it has your whole life. It takes time, work, and a lot of practice to keep training the mind.
Therapy is sometimes a lot of experimentation as well. What works for one person won’t necessarily work for someone else. That’s okay because we have a lot of tools in our belt. So lean in, even if it doesn’t seem like it would work, and try it out. Practice the exercises and let your therapist know whether it’s working. If it is, great! We’ll continue doing it and refining it. And if it doesn’t work, that’s okay too. Let us know and we have lots of things to try together.
Before each session, spend a few minutes thinking about the week, and prepare for your time with your therapist. Think about what you’d like to work on and improve this week. Think about what happened during the week, all the good and bad things, and share with your therapist anything you feel comfortable sharing.
