What to expect from your first psychology session

Deciding to see a psychologist can be daunting. For many people this experience is completely foreign and not knowing what to expect can cause anxiety. So, in order to ease some of the worries you may be experiencing before your first psychology appointment, here is what you can expect.

Prior to coming in for your initial session a consent form will be emailed to you to sign. This form explains the nature of the psychological services provided at the clinic as well as the limits of confidentiality. 

On the day of your appointment, the psychologist will come and greet you in the waiting room and take you into a consulting room. The psychologist will first discuss how confidentiality works and explain the purpose of the initial session which is usually to gather background information. You will then be asked about your presenting issues, which is the reason you are seeking therapy. You may be asked a number of questions about your symptoms, psychosocial history (emotional, familial and relationship history.) The psychologist may then outline a potential treatment plan and discuss the frequency of sessions and referrals to other resources or support groups if required. You should feel comfortable in asking any questions you may have or state specifically what it is you are seeking out of seeing a psychologist. 

It is also important to remember that you do not need to share all of your inner secrets with your psychologist, especially in your first session. The initial phase of therapy is about building a trusting therapeutic relationship and you should share information at a rate that feels comfortable to you. 

Although, this may all seem quite overwhelming, it is important to remember that you have already taken the hardest step and that is seeking help in the first place. Simply acknowledging your own need for external assistance is a huge achievement.