What Happens in Your First Therapy Session?

Please note, this blog is written and maintained by non-clinical staff. Therefore, the content should be taken as psychoeducational and informational only and not as medical advice. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911. If you are experiencing a non-life threatening mental health crisis, please call 988.

The intake session is "Session 0" in therapy. But it lays the foundation for the work you will do in therapy!

Ok so you did it! You searched, and searched, and searched for a therapist. You found one that seems to get you, seems trustworthy, takes your insurance, seems knowledgeable on the subject that's bringing you in to therapy. You've scheduled your first session...

...So now what?

That's a valid question! Taking those first steps are so brave. What happens in a first session can vary from practice to practice, but the following is a pretty good summary of what to expect in your first therapy session (especially if your first therapy session is with Caring Conversations in Greensburg!)

The first session of therapy is the intake session. Think of it as "session 0". We often tell clients the intake is probably the least helpful session to you, the client.

In an intake a therapist will likely:

• Explain the limits of confidentiality & HIPAA

• Ask you to sign a series of paperwork (if you haven't already) - this is things like permission to treat, limits of confidentiality, informed consent, possibly releases of information, emergency information).

• Collect your insurance information and debit/credit card information

• Ask questions to understand your history better

  • What is bringing you into therapy now

  • Have you been in therapy before? What worked for you? What did not?

  • Information about your family, your demographics, trauma history, and more

• Invite you to ask any questions you have, build rapport

This list is not necessarily exhaustive, and might look different practice to practice.

We get it, it can be frustrating. The intake is more structured, with specific questions your therapist may need to ask. We totally understand that you have waited (sometimes even for years!) to find a therapist, and you're ready to get to work. And, the intake is super important, because it lays the foundation of the work you and your therapist will do in therapy. It does not look like a typical therapy session (usually), but is still super important for the therapist to get to know you!

And, if you are in Westmoreland County (or all of Pennsylvania, virtually!) Caring Conversations is here to help. We understand, compassionately, how hard it is to seek help. We meet you where you are, at the intake and beyond, working at your pace on your goals. Reach out to us today - 724.201.9815.