The First Session….What To Expect

     Anxiety is one of the most common reasons individuals seek counseling, however, anxiety is also one the main reasons individuals do not seek counseling.  Most people who have ever sought out counseling or have even thought about seeking counseling understand the anxiety that comes with preparing for the first session.  Most of the anxiety about the first session is not knowing what the expect.  My expectation is to give you a bit of an idea of what to expect from the perspective of a counselor.

     You will be asked to fill out a form prior to your first session.  This form is typically called an "Intake Form".  During your first session, the counselor will go over the form with you.  The counselor may ask you to expound on some of your answers, this does not mean that you didn't answer correctly or completely.  The counselor will do this to try and gain a better understanding of what your answers mean to you.  For example, if asked "What is your goal for counseling?" and you answer, "to be happy" happiness to the counselor may be different than how you would define happiness.  So in order for the counselor to help you meet your goals, he or she will need to understand those goals from your perspective.  

     So what kind of questions can you expect to find on the Intake Form?  The Intake Form will ask for basic information about yourself including name, address, phone number, email, birthdate, and marital status.  Then the questions begin to focus on the reasons why you are seeking counseling, what symptoms you are experiencing both physically and emotionally, as well as your goals for counseling.  Then the questions ask about your current living situation, who lives in your home, how would you describe the environment of your home, and hobbies you enjoy.  Then the questions reflect on your past asking about any siblings, your parents' marital status, any history of abuse (physical, mental, emotional, sexual), previous counseling experience and whether it was a positive or negative experience and what you were being treated for.

     The counselor will have you sign a consent for treat form which is basically you agreeing to receive counseling as it unethical for counselors to counsel an individual without consent.  Then the counselor will go over the limitations of confidentiality.  A counselor is bound by law to maintain what you say in session in complete confidentiality unless you reveal a plan to hurt yourself or someone else.  A counselor is also required by law to report any abuse of a minor.  If an individual is seeking counseling ordered by the court, then the counselor is legally required to report back to the court.

     During your first session, the counselor us using the information your provided on the Intake Form to get to know you and gain a clear understanding of what you are struggling with.  The counselor is going to assess your symptoms in order to determine the best treatment for you.  Several diagnosis of emotional disorders can share symptoms so the counselor will ask questions about your symptoms in order to make a correct diagnosis.  That word, "diagnosis" is another trigger of anxiety that keeps individuals form seeking counseling.  A correct diagnosis helps a counselor develop the best and most beneficial treatment plan for you.  The diagnosis is not a tattoo placed on your forehead for all to see and will not become public knowledge unless you decide to share it with others.  Remember, your counselor is bound by the laws of confidentiality and uses any information gathered from you to build  a treatment plan best for you.

     For your first session, be prepared to answer questions regarding the reasons why you decided to seek counseling.  A counselor will not force you to talk about anything that you are uncomfortable sharing.  The counselor will most likely be the one initiating the questions so the pressure is off of you.  The counselor will listen and perhaps jot down a few notes on your form to help remember important information.  The counselor is not judging you but rather is trying to gain a better understanding of who you are and what your struggles are.

     Some individuals are concerned that talking about their problems will cause them to feel worse.  This is a possibility but not a reason to forego counseling.  Opening up about your problems leaves you vulnerable which can be scar.  Healing can cause pain as past hurts are revisited but working through the hurt with a trained professional can lead to complete healing.  Whereas, not going to counseling because you are worried about the emotional pain it may open is a legitimate concern but consider the pain that it is causing you that has lead you to seek counseling in the first place.  Holding it in has not helped however experiencing some discomfort can lead to healing.  If this is a concern of yours, tell your counselor so that he or she may offer coping skills that can help you work through the symptoms of dealing with past hurts such as relaxation or journaling.  This knowledge will also help the counselor monitor your symptoms as move on through the healing process.

     Finding the right counselor for you is important as studies have revealed that the most beneficial tool in therapeutic healing is the counselor-client relationship.  If you do not feel comfortable with your counselor after a few sessions, it's ok to find another one that you are more comfortable with.  Committing to seeing a counselor does not mean you are committed to them forever.  Counselors are aware that the clients needs to feel comfortable in order for the relationship to work.

     I am hoping you find this information useful as you begin your journey to finding the right counselor for you.  best of luck in your healing journey!

Your Friendly Neighborhood Counselor,

Lynn Leinhos, MS, LLPC