What is the First Counseling Session Like?

Often times people are fearful to come to counseling because it is an unfamiliar process that they have never been exposed to before.  I thought it might help to talk about what usually happens in the first counseling session to dispel myths or fears.

Typically the client first makes contact to the counselor via a phone call, email, or now one can even schedule an appointment online for some counselors.  If one makes a phone call, they typically have the opportunity to discuss concerns with the counselor on the call which can be comforting, however if one makes the appointment via email or online, they may have higher anxiety about what to expect from the counseling for the first meeting.

The first counseling session will start with introductions of both the counselor and the client.  The counselor will ask the client about any presenting problems as to why she is seeking counseling.  The counselor may use an intake form to ask for background and demographic information or they may have you fill that out beforehand so they can review your information.  Counselors know that clients are nervous about the intake session and one of our main goals in this session is to make the client comfortable in the counseling environment.  The first session will orient the client to the process of counseling and your counselor should share with you her theoretical orientation and practice information through a document called Declaration of Practice.  Clients should feel free to ask questions about the qualifications of the counselor or counseling in general.  The intake session gives each side an opportunity to see if the counseling relationship between the counselor-client will further develop into a positive working relationship.  One could consider the first session as a "getting to know you" and informative meeting about the logistics of the counseling relationship.  There will be paperwork to sign such as Declaration of Practice, Credit Card Forms, Informed Consent, and Health Insurance Billing if applicable.  Together the counselor and client may set goals for treatment and discuss the length of treatment.  Finally, the session will wrap-up with the counselor summarizing the session, scheduling a future session, and thanking the client for their honesty and for coming into counseling.

The goal of the first session (and even the first few sessions) is to make sure the client feels comfortable in the counseling setting and free to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.  Counselors will use empathy, unconditional positive regard, open-ended questions, and active listening skills to help engage the client and make them feel welcomed into the counseling process.

To see what an intake form looks like, you can review the one I currently use for my adult clients: http://www.thrivecounselingcenterllc.com/userfiles/4308645/file/ThriveCounselingCenterLLCAdultIntakeForm.pdf

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