What to Expect from Your First Therapy Session

Understanding Your Provider’s Background

Feel free to ask questions about your therapist's professional experiences or qualifications. Understanding these things can provide a sense of confidence and comfort as you begin your work with an individual therapist at Passport Personal Wellness. Some therapists are open about their lived experiences, while others may be more reserved in sharing personal details. This relates to your provider's interpretation of professional ethics, as many licensed professions discourage or forbid having a personal relationship with clientele. These types of dynamics are referred to as "dual relationships," i.e., your therapist has multiple roles in your life. Personal sharing from your counselor should be focused on the benefit to you, not for their own validation. If you have further questions about this, your provider can help offer clarification.

Defining Your Goals for Therapy

It's helpful to understand what your personal goals for therapy may be before you begin meeting with a professional. Your therapist can help you to further define and articulate these objectives, whether it's solving a problem that you are having, coping with life stressors, or focusing on personal growth. Individual therapy is often an organic process, and your objectives may shift or change over time. Ongoing re-evaluation of your goals and progress are important aspects of the therapeutic process. Your feedback and participation in goal-setting are key elements to your personal growth at Passport Personal Wellness.

Structuring Each Session

Sessions generally begin with a brief introduction and check-in. If you have specific topics you'd like to discuss, it can be helpful to let your therapist know. This way, they can help you structure the time and prioritize the issues that are important to you. At Passport Personal Wellness, most appointments are scheduled for one hour. This means that you have about 55 minutes of discussion, followed by a brief wrap-up. Generally, you will confirm the time of your next appointment before ending the meeting. If time management is a challenge for you, or ending the session feels abrupt, feel free to talk with your therapist about ways to make this transition more clear and cohesive.

Next Steps

Your therapist will gather information about your strengths, needs, and goals and will develop a plan with you for future appointments. Congratulations, you have begun the journey to personal wellness!