Preparing for your consultation call and first therapy session
If you are reading this blog post, you probably have your consultation call for therapy or first therapy session coming up. That’s a courageous step as you have recognize that something is wrong and willing to seek help and guidance. Already this is your first step in your progress. Believe it or not, there are so many people that believes that they are perfect and everything is fine, when it is not. Acknowledgement and willing to explore your issues is the first step.
As you gear up for your first consultation call, first therapy session, and subsequent sessions, here's a comprehensive guide to help you make the most out of the experience.
Your free consultation call is not only to see if the therapist can help you but it is also an opportunity for you to see how it will be like in session with your therapist!
How to prepare for a therapy consultation call
Your free consultation call is an opportunity for you to see how it will be like in session with your therapist!
As such, while you are in the consultation call, here’s a few things to keep in mind:
Do you feel seen, safe, and heard in the consultation call?
Can the therapist help you?
Can you and the therapist get along?
Do they seem trustworthy and seem like your ally?
If it’s tele-therapy, how is the audio and visual?
How your therapist carries themselves in the consulation call is a good indicative of how they will be in the therapy session with you.
Preparation before your consulation call:
Check with your insurance provider to see if you are covered for psychotherapy.
Why are you seeking therapy? Have an idea of what you are seeking from therapy.
Do you prefer virtual or over the phone sessions?
How much work are you willing to put in therapy? Therapy is a collaborative effort and your active participation is crucial.
How often are you planning to attend therapy?
What do you need from your therapist and what kind of interaction you want with them?
Do you prefer they challenge you, be direct with you, be gentle with you, do you want homework to work on beyond your therapy session, etc?
What your therapist will want to know from you:
Your reasons for seeking therapy, your goals, what you want to achieve
Your availability and any financial troubles
Any fears, anxieties, or worries about therapy
Any mental health diagnosis or prior therapy experience
Questions you can ask the therapist:
The structure of the sessions, freuqency of sessions they recommend, fees, cancellation policies, confidentiality.
Their approach, experience, and specialities
What you can expect from the sessions
How they handle feedback from you
A few things to keep in mind
Building a strong therapeutic alliance takes time: The first few sessions are an opportunity to establish trust and mutual understanding. It is recommended to attend at least 3 sessions to see if your therapist is a good fit for you.
Reflect on your what you want to work on: The therapist will ask you why you are seeking therapy. If you can’t think of your goal, that’s okay, and let the therapist know. Throughout your therapy sessions, your therapist can work with you to help you decide what you can work on.
Be Open and Honest: Be open about your emotions, experiences, and what led you to seek therapy. This sets the foundation for a trusting and collaborative relationship. This will also help you and the therapist decide if you are the best fit for each other. The last thing you want is after building a relationship with your therapist, you bring up an issue they are not experienced in and having them refer you to another therapist.
Embrace Self-Compassion: Embarking on therapy can evoke various emotions. Embrace self-compassion and acknowledge the courage it takes to seek help. Be patient with yourself as you navigate this transformative process.
Not sure if your therapist is a good fit?
Allow for at least 3 sessions to build a therapeutic relationship with your therapist. If after 3 sessions you still feel the fit is not good, let your therapist know and they can support you to ensure you can get the help you need elsewhere.
How to prepare for your (first) therapy session
1. Complete any necessary paperwork before your first session: If your therapist recommends you complete any paperwork before your therapy session, it’s best to follow their instructions. Why? This is your therapist being pro-active and making sure you get the most out of the sessions.
2. Bring a notebook: You will learn and gain a lot from the your therapy sessions. Take notes and jot down your homework. Make use of your investment and time. This is how you can being pro-active in therapy.
3. Establish a Comfortable Environment: Find a quiet and comfortable space for your session where you can speak openly without distraction. This helps create an environment conducive to honest and meaningful conversation.
4. Clarify Your Objectives: Before the session, take some time to reflect on what you hope to achieve through therapy. Clarify your personal goals, challenges, and the areas of your life where you seek positive change.
5. Be Open and Honest: Be honest with your therapist. Share your emotions, experiences, and what led you to seek therapy. Your therapist can’t help you if you aren’t honest.
6. Familiarize Yourself with Therapist's Approach: Take the opportunity to understand your therapist's approach to counseling. Ask about their methods, what you can expect from the sessions, and any specific techniques they may employ.
7. Discuss Session Logistics: Discuss practicalities such as the frequency and duration of sessions, and how they fit into your schedule. Clarify any administrative aspects, like cancellation policies and fees.
8. Have Realistic Expectations: Recognize that building a strong therapeutic relationship takes time. Set realistic expectations for yourself and understand that progress occurs gradually. Change doesn’t happen over night.
9. Embrace Vulnerability: Therapy is a safe space for vulnerability. Embrace the opportunity to share your thoughts and feelings, understanding that this is a crucial aspect of the therapeutic process.
10. Be Patient with Yourself: Embarking on therapy requires courage. Be patient with yourself as you navigate this journey. It's okay not to have everything figured out; the process is about exploration and growth.
As sessions goes on,
You should feel that it is easier to be open and vulnerable with your therapist
You are learning skills and techniques you can implement in your life
You are gaining something out of the sessions and be able to see progress
You are looking forward to the sessions and talking to your therapist!
Shikha is a therapist/owner of The Therapeutic Way, Counselling and Psychotherapy Services. She is a relationship and relational trauma therapist who works with individuals, couples, and families who have been on the receiving end of narcissistic abuse, gone through trauma in their relationship, experiencing relationship issues, and experienced attachment wounds as a child or adult. She uses a trauma-informed and holistic approaches to help her clients.
Thinking of therapy? Schedule your free 20 mins consultation call to see how we can help.
For more information reach us at info@thetherapeuticway.ca or call/text (289) 635-4660.
Therapy services: Online Anywhere in Ontario; Hamilton, ON; Burlington, ON, Oakville, ON; Mississauga, ON; Milton, ON.
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Online therapy is as effective as in person therapy. What is most important with any format of therapy is the strong therapeutic relationship between you and your therapist. Online therapy is a good option when coming in-person is not feasible, when you have dependents at home, and it is also more convenient.
At The Therapeutic Way, we offer online therapy and therapy by phone from the convenience of your home. Click here to learn more about our online therapy.
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Not necessarily. Online therapy and in-person therapy are usually the same cost as their effectiveness are the same. Online therapy can also be most cost effective for the client as transportation is not involved. Now, there are therapy apps or programs that area available to clients that are cheaper than traditional therapy. However, the effectiveness of those programs are questionable, and they are most likely not covered by insurance.
At The Therapeutic Way, we offer online therapy with a registered psychotherapist that is covered by most insurance providers and helps you save the cost of transportation.
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There are many different types of therapist that you can choose from. Before reaching out to a therapist, it’s important to know what issue you would like to work on. A tip is to seek out a therapist who specializes the issue and problem you are facing with. For example, if you would like to work on trauma, a therapist who focuses on eating disorders may not be the best fit.
It is also important to decide what type of therapist you are looking for, such as gender, experience, their approaches to therapy, etc. It’s also a good idea to check with your insurance provider which type of therapist they cover. A lot of therapists offer free consultation calls for you to decide they are a right fit.
At The Therapeutic Way, we specializes in relationship issues, relational trauma, narcissistic abuse recovery, and attachment wounds. We work with adults, couples, and families over the age of 16.
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The type of therapy that is best for you, depends on you as a person and the reason you are seeking therapy. There are different types of therapy, such as somatic-based therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, trauma-informed therapies, holistic therapy, existential therapy, and more. The type of therapy that is right for you will depend what you are looking for. While you may have an input in this, majority of the time the therapist will know what is best suited for you and will let you know.
At The Therapeutic Way, we work with clients using an integrative approach to therapy, meaning using different modalities to suit your needs. We use a trauma-informed, holistic, and relational approach to working with you. Click here to learn more.
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The term psychotherapy and counselling are often used interchangeably with some slight differences. Psychotherapy refers to the treatment based for psychological disorders and mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc. Counselling refers to wellness support and providing insights and clarity which leads to growth or personal betterment. At The Therapeutic Way, we provide both psychotherapy and counselling.
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The difference between psychotherapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist, depends on education and scope of practice.
Psychotherapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist can provide therapy called talk therapy.
A psychotherapist can provide therapy under the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario, a psychologist can provide therapy under the College of Psychologists of Ontario, and a psychiatrist can provide therapy under College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
Difference:
Psychotherapist Education: Master’s Degree or higher
Psychologist Education: PhD or PsyD.
Psychiatrist: MD
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Psychotherapist: Can’t diagnose
Psychologist: Can do assessment and diagnose
Psychiatrist: Can do assessment, diagnose, and prescribe medication
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Psychotherapist Training: Counselling and focus on therapy techniques
Psychologist: Focus on clinical research and assessment
Psychiatrist: Use medical treatment such as prescribing medications for mental health conditions
Before seeking help, it’s important to know what you need and are seeking. A consultation call can help you decide.
At The Therapeutic Way, we are registered psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario.