During the first therapy session, you can expect to discuss the reasons you sought therapy, your personal history, and your goals for treatment. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of what typically happens:

1. Introductions and Setting the Tone: The therapist will introduce themselves, explain their therapeutic approach, and outline what you can expect from the therapy process.
2. Discussing Confidentiality: The therapist will explain confidentiality and its limits, ensuring you understand the privacy of your sessions and the information shared.
3. Gathering Background Information: You may be asked to complete forms or discuss your personal history, including any relevant medical, psychological, and social information. This helps the therapist get a comprehensive view of your life.
4. Identifying Your Concerns: Much of the first session is spent discussing the issues that brought you to therapy. You’ll explore your current symptoms, challenges, and any specific incidents or patterns you’ve noticed.
5. Goal Setting: The therapist might ask about your goals or what you hope to achieve through therapy. This helps in creating a focused treatment plan tailored to your needs.
6. Therapeutic Agreement: You’ll discuss and agree on logistics like session frequency, duration, fees, cancellation policies, and communication methods outside of sessions.
7. Building Rapport: Establishing a comfortable and trusting relationship with your therapist is a key focus of the first session. It’s important that you feel heard and understood.
8. Initial Impressions and Next Steps: The therapist might share their initial impressions and suggest a preliminary course of action. This is also a time for you to ask any questions and express any concerns or preferences you have about the therapy process.

The first session is essentially a two-way interview where both you and the therapist assess whether it’s a good fit. It’s a time for you to start building a relationship, set the groundwork for your therapeutic journey, and establish a path forward.