Hey there! Thinking about starting therapy? First off—that’s awesome. It takes courage to take this step. Let’s break down what that first session really looks like (spoiler: it’s probably not what you see in movies).
- Real Talk: What’s Actually Going to Happen?
- Let’s Address Your Worries (Because They’re Totally Normal)
- The Big One: Confidentiality (AKA Your Privacy)
- What Your First Session Actually Looks Like
- Common Questions (That Everyone Wonders About)
- What You Can Do to Prep
- Red Flags vs. Green Flags
- Next Steps
Real Talk: What’s Actually Going to Happen?
First Steps (The Basic Stuff)
- You’ll meet your therapist (we’re regular humans, promise!)
- You’ll get comfy in the therapy space
- We’ll go over some paperwork (boring but necessary)
- You’ll learn about what therapy is—and isn’t
Let’s Address Your Worries (Because They’re Totally Normal)
“Will I Have to Share Everything Right Away?”
- As much or as little as you want
- At your own pace
- Only what feels right to you
“Will My Therapist Judge Me?”
- Our job is to support, not judge
- We’ve heard it all before – this is your safe place
- Your experiences are valid
- Nothing you say will shock us
The Big One: Confidentiality (AKA Your Privacy)
What Stays Between Us:
- Your thoughts and feelings
- Things happening at school
- Friend drama
- Most of what you share!
What We Have to Share (Safety First):
- If you’re in danger of hurting yourself
- If someone is hurting you
- If you’re planning to hurt someone else
That’s pretty much it! We always discuss these boundaries in the first session!
What Your First Session Actually Looks Like
The First Few Minutes:
- Getting to know each other
- Checking out the space
- Maybe grabbing water
- Setting up seating (your choice!)
The Middle Part:
- Talking about what brought you here
- Sharing what you hope to get from therapy
- Maybe answering some questions
- Maybe asking some questions
Wrapping Up:
- Planning next steps
- Scheduling next session
- Getting any questions answered
- No pressure to commit if it doesn’t feel right
Common Questions (That Everyone Wonders About)
“Do I Have to Lie on a Couch?”
No need to worry about the stereotypical therapy couch – that’s mostly just in movies! Modern therapy spaces are designed for comfort and usually include regular chairs, cozy seating options, and even helpful tools like fidget toys or stress balls. Your therapist wants you to feel at ease, so you can sit wherever feels most comfortable to you. The goal is to create an environment where you can be yourself and feel safe opening up.
“What If I Don’t Know What to Say?”
It makes complete sense that you may feel worried about what to say in your first session. This is totally normal! Your therapist will help guide you and help you create helpful goals for counseling together. Also, silence is okay! Some of the best work happens when we can pause and be silent for a second. Something really cool about therapy is that sometimes a therapist can help you find the words that feel far away in the moment.
“What If I Cry?”
This is such a valid question and one that can feel very vulnerable as crying in front of someone is one of the most vulnerable things we can do! I am here to tell you that your tears are welcome. It’s completely okay to cry and very normal for tears to arrive when processing through hard things. You can always feel the freedom to take your time, knowing there is absolutely no judgement!
What You Can Do to Prep
Before Your Session:
- Write down any questions
- Note what you want to work on
- Wear comfortable clothes
- Bring water if you want
During Your Session:
- Be honest about your comfort level
- Ask questions anytime
- Take breaks if needed
- Be yourself!
Red Flags vs. Green Flags
Green Flags (Good Signs):
- Feeling heard
- Clear boundaries
- Comfort in the space
- Therapist answers questions clearly
Red Flags (Not So Good):
- Feeling pressured
- Unclear boundaries
- Therapist doing most of the talking
- Feeling consistently uncomfortable
Remember:
You’re in control of your therapy journey
It’s okay to try different therapists
You can change your mind
You have rights in therapy!
Next Steps
Ready to start? Here’s what you can do:
- Schedule a consultation
- Ask questions beforehand
- Bring a parent/guardian if needed
- Trust your instincts
Looking for a therapist who gets teens? Let’s talk about how therapy can work for you.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
PS: Want to know a secret? Most therapists were once nervous teens in therapy too. We get it! 💫
