What happens during a first therapy appointment?

Hey everyone.

Today I'm gonna talk with you about what to expect at your first therapy appointment.

(Intro Music)

So like I said, today I'm gonna talk with you about what to expect

at your first therapy appointment.

I know I did this video, not exactly the same as this, but kind of and I'm embarrassed by it.

I'm so awkward. So I thought "I have a great idea. I'm gonna do it again."

So for those of you out there who I have probably commented and said

"My best advice is for you to reach out to a therapist in your area."

And you think ehhhhh, I can't. I'm so scared.

I don't know what they're like. What is it gonna be like?

And there are all these questions.

Which makes sense.

It's very scary. It can be very overwhelming. We don't know what to expect.

So I have my notes. I'm going to tell you what to expect.

Obviously every therapist is a little bit different, however these are things

you can expect when making an appointment.

First of all, 9 times out of 10 you'll call us and you leave us a message.

Because we're usually seeing clients. We don't pick up our phone all the time.

So we'll get back to you.

Which for those of you who get scared to make phone to phone contact immediately,

know that that's not very likely to happen.

So you leave us a message.

You make an appointment.

And we tell you usually to come about 10 minutes early, because there's paperwork to fill out.

Things like your name, your address, your insurance if they accept it,

what are you coming in for, are you on any medications, when did you last see your doctor.

Just like the basic stuff honestly that you get at any kind of doctors office, appointment, any of that.

That's what we do. You get a 50 minute hour.

I know a lot of people don't know that.

That in order for us to see our clients we have to give ourselves like a 10 minute

window of maybe we'll run over, maybe I should probably take some notes about

this, and then the next client comes in.

So it's 50 minutes for a session.

And we usually ask you what brought you in today?

What are some things that you're struggling with?

Have you been in therapy before?

Tell me about your work or your school or your family or all of those things,

depending on how much you're willing to talk.

We'll keep asking questions, kind of just getting to know you.

And some therapists take notes on a pad of paper that kind of looks like this, while they're talking to you.

Others don't.

I don't really take notes. Although I'll have a pad of paper on my lap in case something comes up.

And I always tell people I can always share with you what I'm writing.

But nobody ever really asks that, 'cause I don't think people really want to know what you're writing.

But it doesn't matter. You can ask. That's okay.

Then we're like 'Bye bye. Would you like to make an appointment for next week?'

Because we usually see you weekly.

So that's something to expect as well. And you have to pay when you're there.

Maybe that sounds crazy. But it's just like anything.

If you get a coffee, you're not like, 'Hey I'll catch you next month.'

You pay when you leave.

And so that'll either be your co-pay if they take insurance, it'll be through square, a check, cash.

So make sure that you know how they accept payment.

Ask them before your make your appointment, so you're prepared for that as well.

And if you need to ask for a sliding scale,

do that before you come into session too

so that we're prepared.

And I think that's it.

And I have a note all in bold, so I don't forget, and I highlight it, because I love highlighters.

And it says, "It's never as scary as you think."

And that is the truth.

Because therapists are people too.

You may not necessarily like them, love them, wanna see them every week.

You may wanna try another one out, but they're usually friendly.

They're there to help, so if you're considering it please call this week.

That's my challenge. Challenge! Call. See. Leave a message.

They'll get back to you. Make an appointment.

Because I promise we're friendly. We're nice, and we're here to help you.

And know that you have the right to see somebody else and not see them again.

And you're not obligated in any way to make another appointment.

You're basically interviewing them at the same time that they're interviewing you,

to know more about you.

You wanna make sure that you have that click with them, that I've talked about in previous videos.

And how important that is.

Because statistically we know it doesn't matter how invested you are in therapy

or how good your therapist is, it's actually the relationship that is the best indicator of how well you'll do.

So make sure you have that.

Make sure you like them. And make sure you feel that 'click'.

I hope you liked it. I know this video is like you know, kind of simple.

But some of us get scared, and we don't know what to expect.

And so if any of you have made appointments, you've seen therapists,

you're seeing a therapist, let us know below.

Because it's not just me saying it then.

It's our community sharing our information.

And if you like these simple what to expect videos, give it a thumbs up!

And you can find me on the inter webs. Wherever you're at I am there too.

And see you next time.