“Action is the antidote to despair” – Cid Ricketts Sumner, 1957
Deciding to start counselling can be a positive step towards finding your way again. But when we start anything new we are unlikely to know what to expect, and that can feel unsettling. It’s completely normal to feel anxious or awkward when preparing to meet a counsellor for the first time. It can be useful to trust yourself, trust the process, and know that your counsellor will provide the structure for you. Below I go through what typically happens in the first counselling session.
Although each counsellor may be different, there will often be similarities in how counselling begins. Some may start with a separate ‘assessment’ session. I am not rigid and do not always go through exactly same questions, as I will be flexible depending on each client. However I will be guided by the following points in our first few sessions together.
- Welcome
- I’ll provide an outline of the session – duration, how I work, practical considerations
- Asking for a brief outline of why you are seeking counselling now
- Asking for historical information about this issue
- What a typical 24 hours looks like for you (work, leisure, sleep, eating etc)
- If you’ve had counselling before, what worked and what didn’t
- If you’ve ever had suicidal thoughts or plans
- What your existing support network and relationships are like
- What you would like from counselling
- Any questions of your own
Sessions will be held between whoever is seeking counselling and the counsellor – no-one else.
When you contact me via phone or email we’ll arrange a time for our first session, and go through some or all of the above together.
Do I need to do or bring anything for the first session?
In brief, no. You do not need to come with a plan about what you’ll talk about, but equally you are welcome to come with ideas of what to say.
If you’re attending online, if possible you should find a private space where you are unlikely to be disturbed.
What should I talk about?
The space is yours to talk about whatever you want. Be as open and honest as you are comfortable being. The sessions are for you, and while the counsellor will provide the boundaries and structure, you will provide the subject matter.
I would encourage you to listen to your feelings and reactions to what happens in therapy, and to talk about these. If you ever feel that counselling is going in the wrong direction, or have any feedback for the counsellor, I would encourage you to share this. Counsellors should be open to hearing your views about how therapy is progressing, and to making any necessary adjustments if they are able to.
Paperwork
Counsellors may ask you to complete some paperwork. At the time of writing I only ask you to complete a ‘counselling agreement’, which outlines the practical considerations we’ve agreed upon. Others may ask you to complete semi-regular feedback forms or questionnaires.
Is this right for you?
The first session is an opportunity for both counsellor and client to figure out if they can work together. If you don’t like the counsellor or how they work, then don’t be disheartened. There are many other counsellors out there, and it’s important to find someone you feel comfortable with.
“Action is the antidote to despair” – This quote I began this blog with has always resonated with me. So if you feel that counselling could help you, why not contact me now to book an initial session, either in Worthing or online.