What does the first therapy session feel like?

Your first therapy session can be similar to the experience of playing with balloons for the very first time. It keeps you curious by its hues, commonly played with by others for fun and it can be a little scary if it bursts suddenly. The fear of the balloon bursting unexpectedly will slowly vanish after expansion in our understanding that it is only one part of the experience of playing with balloons. Increasing awareness of mental health can lead to suggestions of therapy/ counseling support during low and stressful times.

The first steps towards your mental health journey may include searching multiple websites, talking to friends about this decision, and registering and enquiring using social media pages. Yet, we may still be confused on what the first session might hold and feel, and this could hinder asking for help. Despite receiving suggestions on therapy, knowledge of the therapeutic process/counseling journey is not common

So, what can you expect in the first session? Let us break the important elements covered in the first session from a therapist's perspective. Here's what you can expect:

- Introduction about the therapist, their work background.

- Discussing previous therapy experiences of the client or their understanding pf what therapy is. 

- Brief overview of informed consent for therapy.

-  Describing the client's concerns.

- Briefly talking about the duration, onset of these concerns with background details.

Do I need to get ready for the first session?

First time experiences leave behind an impression. So start to prepare for the first session 15 minutes ahead of the schedule. For offline sessions, it's always a good idea to reach the venue earlier and for an online settling, be in a comfortable space with steady camera and audio access. Sessions usually last upto 45-50 minute, once a week. To efficiently utilize this time to speak about the concerns, save room by flipping through the therapy’s terms and conditions before the session.

Short note on T&C

● Sessions usually do not extend more than 60 minutes. If clients arrive late, sessions will not be extended beyond the scheduled time.

● Therapy/counseling intends to provide a safer space with confidentiality, unless at the time of harm to the client or anyone around.

● Just like we visit hospitals, professionalism needs to be maintained by both therapist and client for online/offline sessions.

● Frequent delayed arrival of the client beyond the first 15 minutes of the session is assumed to be cancelled with no refund.

How would I feel after first therapy/counseling session?

Feelings are subjective, but after having the first session most of my clients have left the sessions saying “I feel relieved”. There might be no key takeaways provided, except the idea that we needed someone to hear us and process our issues. It can make the clients even feel perplexed quite some time after the first session. However, it's important to remember that first experiences can be strange and unique just like playing with balloons at first instance.

Sit with it for sometime to let yourself experience the different emotions evoked by therapy/ counseling and REFLECT.