What to Expect at The First Session
Starting therapy for the first time can come with a lot of questions about what to expect.
This page will give you an idea of what the first appointment could look like, including what we will talk about, the paperwork process, and how we begin getting to know you or your child.
My goal is to help you feel prepared and comfortable knowing what to expect.
The Purpose of the First Session
Think of the first session as an introduction.
It is a time for me to learn more about you, your family, and what brought you to therapy. It is also a chance for you to get to know me and learn more about how I work.
I may ask a lot of questions during our first session, but future sessions will become more focused on the things that matter most to you or your child.
The first session helps us build the foundation for the work we will do together.
What Actually Happens During the First Appointment?
The first session is simply the beginning of getting to know one another, understanding what brings you to therapy, and figuring out how we can work together toward what matters to you.
Paperwork & Consent
Before your first session, I'll send you intake paperwork to complete. Whenever possible, please complete it before your appointment so we can spend more of our scheduled time talking and getting to know one another.
If you need to finish it at the office, that's okay. Just arrive early enough to complete it before your appointment begins.
During our first session, I'll review the important parts of the paperwork with you and make sure you have an opportunity to ask questions.
Once the paperwork is out of the way, we can focus on you and what brought you here.
Getting to Know You
This is where we start getting to know one another.
I’ll ask about what brought you to therapy, what you’ve been experiencing, and what you would like support with. Depending on age and individual needs, we may talk about:
• Family and relationships
• School or work
• Stress and emotions
• Anxiety or worry
• Self-esteem and confidence
You don’t need to know exactly how to explain everything.
We can start with what you know and build from there.
What Does the First Session Look Like for Younger Children?
The first session is a parent or caregiver-only session.
This gives me time to get to know you and your family and hear about your child from your perspective.
You know your child better than anyone. Your perspective helps me understand their personality, development, strengths, relationships, and what you have been noticing at home, at school, or in other areas of their life.
We'll talk about what brought your child to counseling, what you would like support with, and what you hope therapy can offer your child.
What to expect
Your child’s first session is about connection, comfort, and getting to know one another
When does my child meet the therapist?
The second session is when I meet them personally.
This appointment focuses on getting to know your child and helping them feel comfortable in the space.
There is no expectation that your child will sit down and immediately explain their feelings or talk about everything that has been happening.
With younger children, getting to know one another may happen through play, conversation, creative activities, games, or other developmentally appropriate approaches.
The goal is to create a space where your child can be themselves while we get to know what helps them feel comfortable and supported.
Parent Check-Ins
Parent involvement remains an important part of therapy for younger children.
On average, I like to have an individual parent or caregiver session about every 4 to 6 weeks, depending on your child's needs, development, and what is most helpful for your family.
These sessions provide dedicated time to check in about how things are going, talk about progress, discuss what you have been noticing, and make sure therapy continues to support your child and family
What Can Teens Expect?
Starting therapy can feel a little different for teens. They are developing their own identities, opinions, interests, and goals, so it is important that therapy gives them room to be themselves.
The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and talk about what brought them to counseling.
Some teens know exactly what they want to work on. Others may need a little time to figure that out, and that's okay too.
There is no right or wrong way to begin.
What if my teen does not want to talk?
There is no expectation that your teen has to walk into the first session with a perfectly prepared list of things to discuss.
If they are unsure about where to begin, we can start by getting to know one another.
We might talk about school, hobbies, interests, friendships, favorite things, or everyday life. Sometimes the easiest way to get comfortable is to start with the things they already enjoy talking about. As we get more comfortable, conversations can naturally move toward the areas where they would like support.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Once we've had a chance to get to know one another, we can begin talking about what you would like help with.
You do not need to have perfectly defined goals.
We can figure them out together.
Your goals may change as therapy continues, and that's completely okay. We'll adjust our work based on your needs, your progress, and what feels most helpful.
At the end of your first session, we'll talk about what comes next and what future sessions might look like for you.
You don't have to know the whole plan on day one. One step at a time.
Preparing Your Younger Child for Their First Session
Parents sometimes wonder what they should tell their child before their first therapy appointment. The best approach is usually to keep it simple, positive, and age appropriate.
You can explain that they are going to meet someone who helps kids with big feelings, worries, and things that can sometimes be hard to handle on their own. Let them know that part of my job is getting to know them and finding ways to help when things feel difficult.
You might say:
We're going to meet Kalli. She helps kids with big feelings, worries, and things they might need a little help with. She has a room where you can play, talk, and do some fun activities. You'll get to meet her, see her room, and spend some time getting to know her.
You can reassure your child that they don't have to know exactly what to say or talk about anything before they're ready.
It can also help to avoid making the appointment sound like something they are in trouble for or something they did wrong. Instead, keep it relaxed and talk about it like meeting someone new.
We're just going to go check it out, meet Kalli, and see what you think.
Preparing Your Teen for Their First Session
With teens, it can be helpful to give them some ownership over their experience.
Let them know they do not need to prepare a speech or figure out exactly what they want to say.
They might think about:
• Something they would like help with
• Something they wish other people understood
• What they would like to be different
• Questions they have about therapy
You can also remind them that the first session is a chance for them to get to know me too. They can ask questions, share what they are hoping for, or simply see what they think of the space.
They don't have to walk in knowing exactly what they need. That's part of what we're figuring out together.
You Don't Have to Have It All Figured Out
Starting therapy is a new experience, and every person will approach it differently.
You may know exactly what you want to work on.
You may have a general idea.
Or you may simply know that you would like some support.
You do not need to walk into your first appointment with your entire story organized, a list of perfect goals, or a plan for how therapy should go.
For younger children, we begin by getting to know their parent or caregiver before meeting the child.
For teens, we make space for them to develop their own voice and goals in therapy.
For young adults, we focus on what matters to them as they navigate this stage of life.
And throughout the process, we work together to figure out what is helpful.
Ready to take the first step?
If you have been thinking about therapy for you or your child, you do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out.
You can come exactly as you are. We can start from there.