Congratulations! Now that you have taken the first step to schedule a counseling appointment, you may be wondering, “What comes next?”
Meeting Your Therapist
At your first scheduled appointment, which is referred to as an intake session, you will review the intake paperwork and questionnaire with the counselor. This first session allows your therapist to explain their treatment methods and to ask more in-depth questions about your needs and concerns. As a client, you might be asked to complete additional questionnaires, which could be formal or informal. For example, you may be asked about early childhood experiences, current anxiety and/or depressive symptoms, as well as any previous traumas.
You will likely also be asked about any previous experiences with receiving psychiatric care, current health concerns, and will be encouraged to provide a current medication list. The more in-depth and accurate information you provide, the better the clinician will be able to get to know you and your unique preferences and goals. At the end of the first session, interventions will be discussed, and recommendations will be made for an appropriate timeline for future appointments.
Diving Into Treatment
After the counselor gains a broader perspective of your current state of mental health, including challenges you are facing and identifying your enduring strengths, a treatment plan will be developed. At the second appointment, the individualized treatment plan is usually reviewed with the client. This collaborative process allows you, the client, to help determine the course of action that would best benefit your mental health needs.
By way of analogy, a treatment plan is an outline for upcoming sessions that is like a roadmap for a cross-country road trip. While there may be a common preferred destination for all clients—mental wellbeing—each person’s journey through the adventure of therapy is slightly different, and there may be several adjustments to the route, as well as the final destination, based on your growth and development.
From the first visit to the last, you can expect to receive compassionate care, interpersonal feedback, and tools and education to help guide you on your path to wellness. For example, the therapist may teach self-calming tools, encourage you to start a journal or logbook, or recommend a particular book or website for additional support and education. In the following sessions, these skills will be built upon and reviewed, and you will be asked for input regarding your growth and to determine if the treatment plan is proving beneficial.
We Value You!
If you ever feel misunderstood or would like to re-clarify your preferences with the counselor, we value your feedback and strive to provide you with empathetic and individualized care at every stage of treatment. At the same time, the counselor may challenge you to delve deeper and probe into topics that may be difficult to discuss and require vulnerability. However, the rate of progress depends on your level of comfort and the pace of self-disclosure that allows you to feel safe and supported. You can be assured that your information will stay private within the sessions, as confidentiality is a vital key to creating a therapeutic relationship and is a standard to which we are personally and professionally committed.
We strive to provide you with the best care possible, and our staff looks forward to meeting you when you are ready to start—or restart—your path to wellness.
If you missed the first article, you can read it at: What to Expect Series – Starting Counseling
Brenda Gonyou
