The first session is called an initial evaluation. It’s the introductory face-to-face meeting. During this session, we will develop goals based upon what specific areas in your life you would like to address. This will include getting personal and medical information about your history as well as current issues, emotional disturbances and behavioral troubles you may be experiencing. Together, the client and the therapist will co-develop a course of treatment.

Another major component of the first session is getting to know each other and building rapport. That rapport will be the backbone upon which the rest of the counseling relationship is built. The main objective is for you to feel some relief at the end of this first session. Although mental wellness is a process, not an event, you should still feel like something was accomplished and you are starting on the right path by the end of the first session.

Lastly, the first session will cover the three P’s: Policies, procedures, and paperwork. We will discuss all that fun stuff that people love having to talk about like rights and responsibilities, and confidentiality. (I’m joking about the fun part, but it is necessary) We will also sign the paperwork and make sure that you understand and are comfortable with starting the counseling process.