Starting therapy can be a big step, and many people have questions they’d love to ask beforehand to feel more prepared and comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are ten of the top questions people commonly wish they could ask before their first session with a mental health counselor:
1. What should I expect at the first therapy session?
Many people are concerned about what will happen during their first therapy session. We want to make the first session as easy to attend as possible. Our goal is to build a therapeutic bond with you, and are open to any questions you may have. Usually, during the first session, your therapist will spend time getting to know you and working with you to chart a path forward to best care for you.
2. How do I know if I’ve found the therapist right for me?
There are some ways to help find a therapist that is a good fit before meeting with them. Usually, it helps to find a therapist who has a specialty that matches your goals, an approach that sounds appealing to you, and a bio that you connect with. After your first session, we encourage you to stick with your therapist for a few sessions. Share any concerns with your therapist so they can adjust their approach to provide you the best care.
3. What are your qualifications and areas of expertise?
At Selah, we have a variety of relevant licenses in the State of Illinois and often certifications in our specialties. Rest assured, we fulfill all of our obligations to be in good standing with the State of Illinois and to maintain our licenses to practice.
4. How long will therapy take?
Many clients wonder if therapy will be a short-term or long-term process and what factors affect the length and frequency of sessions. It is hard to say how long therapy will take. Many clients see significant improvements quickly, especially after therapeutic goals are set.
5. What if I don’t know what to talk about?
Some clients entering therapy may struggle with what to talk about or where to start. Each therapist will know how to help in this circumstance. We understand! People may not always feel prepared for a therapy session, but we will help guide the conversation in a therapeutic direction. Feel free to state these concerns to your therapist as well.
6. Will everything I say be kept confidential?
We understand that confidentiality is a serious concern when entering therapy. It is our responsibility to maintain privacy, as laid out in HIPPA guidelines. Please make sure to raise any concerns with us.
7. What if I feel worse after a session?
Therapy sessions can often bring up intense emotions, and client’s might feel drained afterward. This is usually a sign of progress. You may have heard it said: “It gets worse before it gets better.” Sometimes this can be true of therapy, but we believe that facing therapeutic challenges is important for us to grow and heal. We will walk with you through this.
8. How will we measure progress?
Part of the job of a therapist is to track how things are going and discuss your current therapeutic progress with you. Usually, therapy goals are discussed in the earlier sessions so we know which direction we are going together.
9. What’s your approach or style in therapy?
It is common for people to want to know a therapist’s approach to see if it aligns with their preferences. Many of the therapists at Selah Healthcare Professionals have listed their approaches, specialties, and certifications online, so you can find someone who seems like a good fit. Before meeting with you, most therapists are happy to talk with you by phone to answer these questions.
10. How should I handle discussing difficult or embarrassing topics?
Many clients are concerned about bringing up deeply personal, embarrassing, or painful issues and may want advice on how to approach these conversations comfortably. Some topics are difficult to discuss, and it is often easier to engage with these topics bit by bit. It is ok to pace yourself in therapy, and let your therapist know if the process is going faster or slower than you would prefer.