Getting started with therapy

Written By beverley harper

A Gentle Guide to Beginning

Starting therapy can bring up mixed emotions. Many people worry that they will not know what to say, or that their feelings are not important enough. All of this is normal.

Your therapist will guide the session and help you feel settled. You do not need to prepare anything unless you want to.

Preparing for Your First Session

Some people like to:

  • write a few notes

  • reflect on what they want support with

  • think about what they hope to change

Others simply show up and let the conversation unfold.
Both are perfectly okay.

What Happens in the First Session

Your therapist may gently ask about:

  • what brings you to therapy

  • how things have been feeling

  • any important life events or patterns

  • what you hope to understand or explore

You do not need to share everything at once.
You set the pace.

Common Feelings After a First Session

You may feel:

  • relieved

  • tired

  • emotional

  • clearer

  • uncertain

All of this is normal. Therapy begins with small openings that deepen over time.


beverley harper
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What to expect from therapy