Therapy for the Family

Appointments

To make an appointment, please call our office at (626) 331-8177. For general questions, you may e-mail us at:
info@therapyforthefamily.com

 

Tips for Preparing for Your First Therapy Session

1) Be Proud of Yourself.

Before anything else, give yourself a pat on the back for taking this first step. You have submitted to the idea of meeting with someone you don’t know and sharing your inner world with them in the interest of improving something. Lots of people go through life too proud or embarrassed to seek help. The initial process can be confusing and intimidating, but you’ve gotten yourself past that, and that by itself is something to be proud of.

2) Take Your Time With Questionnaires. Prior to your first appointment you will be asked to complete several forms on our Client Portal. Some of these forms allow you to begin sharing history and your objectives for therapy. Take your time, be as specific, honest and thorough as possible. The Intake forms are an important first step along our journey together and help your counselor get up to know you quicker.

3) Be Prepared With Questions. Don’t be afraid to ask your therapist questions prior to your first session, or at any time. If you are feeling anxious about the appointment or the process in general, gaining a better understanding can alleviate some of the stress caused by fear of the unknown. Before your first appointment, you might want to jot down any questions you have so that you don’t forget to have them answered during your session.

4) Find Comfort Knowing Everything is Kept Confidential. Keep in mind that everything you share, both verbal and written, is kept confidential. Therapists are bound by strict federal privacy regulations and we will not release information about you to anyone without your written permission. There is one exception and that is if the therapist believes that you might harm yourself or someone else. In that case they have a professional obligation to prevent harm, which can include contacting the authorities.

5) Start With the End in Mind. It’s a good idea to think about what you want to get out of therapy before your first appointment. You might be asked, ‘What are you hoping to achieve from our sessions together?”. Try to form a clear answer to that question. Being able to express to your counselor exactly what you are looking for will help them formulate the optimal treatment plan, and can get you to where you want to be a lot faster.

6) Reserve Time Before and After the Session. We suggest setting aside a little time before and after. Fifteen or thirty minutes before your session, prepare any notes you may have made and then take time to just relax. Take deep breaths and try to get yourself to a calm state. This will help you be able to engage more productively and process feelings more efficiently. Set aside a little time afterwards to reflect on the session, make notes of any homework or follow-up items for your next appointment.

7) Be Prepared. In addition to all the mental preparedness you may consider, a few additional things to prepare for are more practical. We recommend having the following at the ready: Drinking water. For reasons other than getting thirsty, a hydrated brain is a functional brain. There are plenty of studies to support this. It is also a good idea to have pen and paper handy, as well as Kleenex.

8) Calibrate Your Expectations. Keep in mind that the first session may involve some administrative and ‘house-keeping’ discussion. This is just the first of more sessions to come, so while it’s possible to make great progress on Day One, the first session can involve more orientation and fewer deep dives into your past. Think of it like your first day of school./

9) Remember, Our Therapists Are Here To Help You. At Together Family Counseling, our approach is one of non-judgmental compassion, seeking to understand while working together with you to get you the results you desire. We have combined decades of experience helping others navigate through life’s challenges, and we look forward to working with you.