Embarking on a journey with a psychologist can be a significant step towards improving your mental health and overall wellbeing. For many, the prospect of the first session can be daunting, filled with uncertainty and questions. Understanding what to expect can help alleviate some of these anxieties, paving the way for a more comfortable and productive experience.
Making the First Appointment
The process typically begins with making an appointment. This might involve contacting a clinic directly, getting a referral from your GP (a common practice in Australia, facilitated by the Mental Health Treatment Plan under Medicare), or finding a psychologist through recommendations. The Australian Psychological Society (APS) offers a Find a Psychologist service, which can be a helpful resource (APS, 2020).
The First Session: What Happens?
Introductions and Setting the Scene: Initially, your psychologist will introduce themselves and explain their confidentiality policy, ensuring you understand the boundaries of privacy and the circumstances under which they might need to share information (for safety reasons, for example).
Assessment and History Taking: Much of the first session is dedicated to understanding you and your concerns. Be prepared to discuss what brings you to therapy, your history, and any specific issues you’re facing. This conversation helps the psychologist assess your needs and plan the course of therapy. Remember, it’s okay if you don’t know where to start or what to say—your psychologist is trained to guide the conversation.
Establishing Goals: Together, you’ll start to outline your goals for therapy. These can be specific (e.g., managing anxiety symptoms) or more general (e.g., improving overall wellbeing). Goal setting is a collaborative process and might evolve over time (Norcross & Wampold, 2019).
Discussing the Therapeutic Approach: Your psychologist may discuss their therapeutic approach and how it applies to your situation. This could include cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, or others. They’ll explain how these sessions typically proceed and what might be expected from you.
Building a Therapeutic Alliance: An essential part of the first session is beginning to establish a rapport with your psychologist. The therapeutic alliance—the partnership and trust between you and your psychologist—is a critical factor in effective therapy (Horvath et al., 2011).
What You Might Feel
It’s normal to have mixed emotions about starting therapy. You might feel relieved to be taking action, anxious about sharing personal details, or skeptical about what the process can offer. All these feelings are valid. Over time, as you build a relationship with your psychologist, many people find their comfort level and confidence in therapy increases.
After the Session
After your initial meeting, you might feel emotionally tired; discussing deep or personal issues can be draining. It’s important to take care of yourself and not schedule anything too demanding immediately after your appointment.
Moving Forward
Therapy is a process, and progress can take time. It’s common to have regular sessions with your psychologist, especially in the early stages. These sessions are an opportunity to work through your concerns in a supportive and structured environment.
Conclusion
Seeing a psychologist for the first time is a brave step towards caring for your mental health. By understanding what to expect, you can approach your first session with a clearer mind and a focus on the positive steps you’re taking. Remember, therapy is a journey, and it begins with a single, albeit significant, step forward.
References
- Australian Psychological Society (APS). (2020). Find a Psychologist. https://www.psychology.org.au/Find-a-Psychologist
- Norcross, J. C., & Wampold, B. E. (2019). Relationships and responsiveness in the psychological treatment of trauma: The tragedy of the APA Clinical Practice Guideline. Psychotherapy, 56(3), 391–399.
- Horvath, A. O., Del Re, A. C., Flückiger, C., & Symonds, D. (2011). Alliance in individual psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, 48(1), 9–16.
How to get in touch
If you or your patient/NDIS clients need immediate mental healthcare assistance, feel free to get in contact with us on 1800 NEAR ME – admin@therapynearme.com.au.
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