What Can You Expect From Your First Counselling Session?
Although different Counsellors work in different ways, the format for the first session typically follows some regular themes. Unless the client presents at the beginning of the first session extremely distressed, you can expect the first session to include:
1. An opportunity for you to explain your situation & circumstances. It might sound like an obvious thing to say. However, some people find it very difficult to talk about their issues and the thought of going through them with anyone can be quite daunting. You won’t be forced to say or do anything you don’t want to in any session.
2. Identifying your expectations of therapy & goals. The therapist will try to identify your expectations of therapy so that, if there are any expectations that can’t be met, things can be clarified at the beginning. This gives you the chance to decide whether therapy is likely to deliver what your hoping for.
3. Contracting. This might sound a bit official and some clients feel daunted by the term ‘contract’ but it’s important to understand what’s meant by this. The contract is there to protect both the client & the therapist. It defines what the client & therapist can expect of each other in terms of behaviours & practices, and sets out clear boundaries.
4. The therapist will explain how they work. You may have already had this discussion with your therapist but if not, at this point they should offer an explanation of how they work and how that can be applied to you & your circumstances.
5. Get to know your therapist. Therapist & client need to be like pieces of a puzzle that fit together. The first session gives you an opportunity to meet the therapist & get to know them a little. You will get a feel for whether or not they are someone you can have trust in, whether you feel like they are someone you can open up to and build a therapeutic alliance – a relationship in which you work together to achieve your goals.
At BroadMinds Therapy we offer a free consultation before the first session to give you this opportunity so you can decide whether we are right for you without spending a penny.
If you’d like to discuss Counselling & Psychotherapy for yourself or someone you know, contact BroadMinds Therapy and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have and discuss options for you.
Phone: 0899420568
Email: help@broadmindstherapy.org
Website: www.broadmindstherapy.org
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Integrative Counselling And Psychotherapy 