What to Expect in Your First Therapy Session

Starting therapy can feel nerve-wracking—but knowing what to expect can ease that anxiety. Here’s a quick breakdown of what typically happens in your first session and how to prepare.

1. Paperwork & Consent

Before your session, you'll likely complete:

• Intake forms

• Consent for treatment

• HIPAA/privacy paperwork

If you’re meeting online, these are usually sent via a secure client portal.

2. Setting the Stage

Your therapist will:

• Review confidentiality and its limits

• Explain their approach and how sessions work

• Ask what brought you to therapy

This is your space—feel free to share as much or as little as you’re comfortable with.

3. Exploring Your Story

Expect open-ended questions like:

• “What’s been going on lately?”

• “What would you like to get out of therapy?”

• “Have you been in therapy before?”

It’s less about diving deep right away and more about getting to know you.

4. Discussing Goals

Together, you might begin identifying:

• What you want to change or understand

• Specific goals or areas to focus on

• What success in therapy might look like

These goals can evolve over time.

5. Asking Questions

You can (and should) ask things like:

• “What’s your experience with clients like me?”

• “How do you typically work with anxiety/depression/etc.?”

• “How often will we meet?”

The session is a two-way street.

6. Ending the Session

Near the end, your therapist may:

• Summarize what they heard

• Discuss next steps or schedule future sessions

• Check in on how you're feeling about the experience

  
  

Final Thought

The first session is about connection, not perfection. You don’t need to have all the answers or explain everything right away. What matters most is feeling safe, heard, and supported. That’s the foundation for meaningful change.