Your First Time

Anxious about your first session? Here is a step-by-step guide to maximising your first session with me.

Deciding to seek out therapy is a big step. You've wanted to do this for a while and had to give yourself several pep talks before reaching out. I get it. Let me walk you through the first in-person session with me; I promise I don't bite:

1. You'll get detailed directions to my office. The map is accurate, but please call me if you need to.
2. Once you find my office, feel free to sit or lie on the couch. I have a cozy blanket, water and a selection of teas.
3. I'll run you through the extent and limitations of client confidentiality, duration of a session, and any other important information.
4. Once the session starts, I'll take your medical, family, social and work/academic history. I'm not being nosy — the history forms a background to help me contextualise your lived experience better.
5. Speak freely. My job is to weave the threads of conversation, no matter how many, into a rich tapestry.
6. Towards the end of the session, I'll try to reflect back what we've discussed to ensure I have a good grasp of the issues. I may give you a task to do at home, for example journaling, mood records, and so on.
7. After the session, I'll send a session summary which will contain the issues raised, my observations, techniques or interventions used and, lastly, next steps.
8. Please know that 70% of people cry at their first session, and 90% within the first four sessions. I expect it and have boxes of tissue ready. Better out than in.

Virtual sessions are similar in structure, just without the selection of teas.

Let the healing begin.