What to expect in your first counseling session in Edmond
You’ve done it. You found a therapist you are wanting to work with and now you are getting ready for your first session with them. You are filled with anticipation and maybe even some anxiety about this first face-to-face meeting. Now, you are wondering what to do to get ready for counseling in Edmond.
I hear you and I hope that after you read this blog you will not only feel more at ease about your first counseling session but also have more clarity on how these counseling sessions will occur. Here are my goals for the first session and how you can best prepare.
#1 Completing Paperwork before Counseling
Many therapists ask you to arrive early and fill out paperwork a few minutes prior to counseling in Edmond. In my practice, it is helpful for me to have that information well in advance so you will get all of your paperwork via email where you will complete all of your paperwork through a HIPPA compliant portal. As you read over the documents, make note of any questions or items that need more explanation.
When it comes to the background paperwork, there is nothing that I would encourage you not to write about. If it comes to your mind, share it! The time and effort you put into your paperwork helps! For me it’s not only a way to better understand what’s going on but also come into our first session with a greater sense of direction and understanding of you. I know it’s scary but the more you let your therapist see you and into your life the more they can assist in your experience with counseling in Edmond.
Pro tip: Err on the side of sharing more in your background paperwork. Jot it down even if to you it seems insignificant. In my practice, I have a spot for you to add any tidbits that might have arisen while you were filling out paperwork.
#2 Introducing to the counseling environment
You’ve had your consultation call and from that took the next step in scheduling an appointment. If you are working with me, your session is usually scheduled within a couple of weeks of your discovery call so that we can get you started on reaching your goals. I will be anticipating our first face-to-face meeting and want to introduce you to the office space where there are teas, blankets, fluffy pillows all enveloped in cozy warm lighting. I want the office to feel like a warm, safe and cozy space for you to come into.
Pro tip: Give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your session and take time to settle before walking in.
#3 Setting up boundaries for you first Counseling session in Edmond
Before your session you will get paperwork to fill out as well as background information. In my practice I want to make sure that you know what I am expecting in our work together as well as helping you understand how we can set up counseling in Edmond to best suit your needs. I take a few moments to go over the highlights of paperwork because let’s be honest there is no way to remember it all. I want you to know how to reach me, how we maintain confidentiality in and outside our session and what you can expect from me throughout this process.
Pro tip: Running late, call and let the therapist know.
#4 Learning about you and getting a feel for what working together will look like.
In short, the first session is about getting to know each other better. I want to give you hope that there is a way through the difficulties you are experiencing. Counseling in Edmond with me, focuses on making sense of the information I have thus far and providing some thoughts on what I see the counseling journey looking like such as what I think might be some barriers we face but also what strengths we have that I think can help. It is also about testing out if we vibe as well as we thought we could when we talked over the phone. If this continues to feel like a space that can help we will make plans for how you can continue to receive weekly support.
Pro tip: Feeling Rush or Anxious as you come into the office. That’s absolutely normal! I want those that work with me to let me know, we will work on settling in together before we begin.
#5 Troubleshooting: When it doesn’t feel quite right.
I’m glad you have noticed and are speaking out. I am here to help. To me helping isn’t about you working with me it’s about you reaching your goals so, if something doesn’t feel right say so. I know you are probably worried about hurting feelings and I get that at the same time lets respect the counseling journey. It is hard enough to step in for your first session so let’s find a way forward for you with someone else.
Pro tip: Your therapist knows lots of other therapists! If things feel off, trust your gut and let me send you to a colleague I trust who could help!
I hope this gives you more comfort and confidence about your counseling journey. If you are ready to start your counseling journey in Edmond then book your free discovery call with me and uncover the transformative potential of therapy, guided by a clear plan and the expertise of the right therapist can help you now, tomorrow and well into your future.
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