What To Expect From A Therapy Consultation?

Now that you know the basics of psychotherapy, you’re now ready to start your therapy journey. After setting an appointment with your therapist, you might be wondering what to expect from a therapy consultation. We will explore the whole therapy process, starting with your pre-consultation.

 

Before Your First Therapy Session

 

First of all, here are the two important things that you need to remember before your appointment:

 

1. All the medical providers, including therapists, and patients have to complete paperwork. 
2. Remember that there are generally five contracts within your package:
3. Informed Consent – This package permits the therapist to provide therapy and outlines the expectations and responsibilities of the therapeutic process. 
   • No show/Cancellation Policy – This form consists of the explanation of the expected notice to be given prior to canceling or rescheduling sessions.
   • Payment Policy – This is a form that provides the acceptable forms of payment.
   • Dual Relationships – This form will explain how your therapist should behave with you as their client. 
   • Client History Form – Just like with your typical medical doctor who asks for your medical history, in therapy, therapists will also ask for your history.

To learn more about this, watch this video we made about this for you.

 

 

 

 

What To Do On Your First Therapy Session?

 

Now that you already know what to prepare for your therapy and your scheduled therapy session is already getting close, Some of you prefer to be prepared for your first therapy session. They are prepared in a way that they already know what to expect during the session. So here are some things to expect.

First things off, do not expect that your problem will be resolved in one sitting. 

1. The first session is usually when your therapist establishes rapport with you.
2. Along with building rapport, your therapist will also ask some questions to get more information with regards to your answers in your client history form. Of course, as they ask you some questions, you can also ask some. 
3. Lastly, the first session is also the time you should inform your therapist of the following.
4. Rescheduling your scheduled appointments already.
5. The frequency of your desired appointments.
6. Your mode of payment.

 

Watch this video to get some more points and be prepared for your first therapy consultation!

 

 

 

 

What To Do On Your Second Therapy Session?

Let’s say you’re already done with your first therapy session. The first therapy session was pretty painless, right? The second therapy session is now in your mind. Maybe you’re wondering after the first, what are we going to do in the second therapy session now? 

The second session will delve a bit more into the specifics of your symptoms. This is most of the time when psychological tests are being administered to you to help you and your therapist understand the situation you are in. Aside from that, depending on your scores on these tests and the items you want to improve, your treatment plan will be completed with you. The most common assessments being used are the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Beck’s Anxiety Inventory.

 

Watch this video to learn about them!

 

 

 

 

What To Do On Your Third Therapy Session?

If you’re reading this and you’re already done with your first two sessions, we, your STACS (Shirley Therapeutic and Consulting Services) family, congratulate you for completing your first two sessions. You’ve gotten a bit more comfortable talking about the experiences in your life. Now’s the time to roll up your sleeves and begin the labor of healing. 

Your next sessions will depend on the outcomes of your previous sessions. These become more personalized and only suited for you.

 

If you want to learn more about what to expect in your third session, watch this video. 

 

 

 

If you haven’t sought mental health professional help yet or mental health therapy, do not hesitate to contact us here. Shirley Therapeutic and Consulting Services, LLC is a diverse therapy clinic that can meet the needs of anyone. If you’d like to talk about your mental health or career, feel free to message us here.