What to Expect During Your First Therapy Session With Shine the Light Counseling in Baltimore, MD

Even if you’ve gone to therapy multiple times in the past, nearly everyone gets nervous the first time they meet with a new therapist. That is okay and super normal! 

You may have a bunch of questions rolling around in your head – Will I like her? What will we talk about? How long does this last? Will this be awkward? Do I have to reveal that about me? The list goes on.

Here, I’ll try to assuage some of your questions and concerns.

Q: Will I like her?

A: I hope so! Friends and clients describe me as compassionate, a good listener, kind, and joyful. My hope is that we build a good relationship so that you trust me enough to feel comfortable and be yourself. However, it’s important that I am a good fit for you. Every therapist is different, and I am never personally offended if we just don’t vibe. I recommend giving it three sessions to try to get comfortable, but if I’m not the one for you, that’s okay! I will even help you find a new therapist to meet your needs.

Q: What will we talk about?

A: The first session is more Q&A than the subsequent ones are. I’ll go over some of the policies and talk about my approach to therapy. We’ll also talk about what brings you to therapy and what you hope to get out of the process. And I’ll gather some information so that I can get a fuller picture of what is going on in your life. Typically, the 50 minutes goes by pretty quickly!

Q: How long does this last?

A: Each session, including the first one, is 50 minutes (unless we talk about another arrangement). Therapy itself… that depends on the person and the issue. Maybe we’ll be together for three months or three years, depending on your needs and wants. The average time someone is in therapy with me is about 9 months.

Q: Will this be awkward?

A: Hopefully not! But nerves are normal, and some awkwardness as we get to know each other can happen, too. There is nothing wrong with that! 

Q: Do I have to reveal that about me?

A: Nope! I won’t force you to talk about anything you aren’t ready to share. After all, I am a complete stranger. Especially with trauma, it is good that we have a solid foundation before you dive into your trauma story. Otherwise, it’s easy to get flooded, have flashbacks, and feel overwhelmed. For some, it can be helpful to tell your story immediately, especially if you feel like it’s about to burst out. That is okay, too. You can share, but I may encourage you to go slowly and check in with yourself along the way so that you stay grounded.