What Happens at Your First Therapy Appointment? A Guide to Starting Therapy in Aurora, IL
What Happens at Your First Therapy Appointment?
Starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if you have never been to therapy before. You might be wondering what you are supposed to talk about, what your therapist is going to ask you, or if you are expected to walk in already knowing exactly what you want to work on. The good news is that you do not have to have any of that figured out before your first appointment.
At Inner Healing Therapy in Aurora, Illinois, we know that reaching out is sometimes the hardest part. Whether you are coming into the office or meeting with your therapist virtually, your first session is really a chance for us to get to know you and understand what brought you to therapy.
Your first appointment will look a little different from your regular therapy sessions. We typically call this appointment an intake. During an intake, your therapist will ask questions about what has been going on in your life, what you have been struggling with, and what you are hoping to get out of therapy. We may also talk about your mental health history, relationships, family, school or work, previous experiences with therapy, and what you currently do to cope when things get difficult.
This does not mean you need to tell us everything during your first session. You are meeting a new person, and we understand that trust takes time. There may be things you are not comfortable talking about yet, and that is okay. Therapy is not about forcing you to share something before you are ready.
A lot of people also worry that they will not know what to say. You might know exactly why you are starting therapy, or you might just know that you have not been feeling like yourself lately. Both are completely okay. Sometimes figuring out what is actually going on is part of the work we do together.
Your therapist will also talk with you about what you would like to get out of therapy. Maybe you want to learn how to manage anxiety, work through depression, understand your ADHD, cope with a major life change, process something difficult that happened in the past, or simply feel like you can handle everyday stress a little better. Your goals do not have to be perfect, and they can always change as therapy continues.
If you are bringing your child or teen to therapy, the first appointment may look a little different. Parents or guardians are often involved in at least part of the intake so we can understand what has been happening at home, at school, and in other areas of your child's life. After that, therapy is going to depend a lot on the child's age and personality. Some kids communicate better through play, activities, or games, while teens may prefer talking directly with their therapist. There is no single way that therapy has to look.
One of the most important parts of the first few appointments is also figuring out whether you feel comfortable with your therapist. Every therapist has a different personality and approach, and finding someone you connect with matters. You are allowed to ask questions, tell us when something is not working for you, and be involved in deciding what you want your therapy to look like.
Most importantly, you do not need to prepare the perfect story before you come in. You do not need to know your diagnosis, have a list of goals ready, or know exactly where to start. You can simply show up as you are, and we will start there.
Inner Healing Therapy offers in-person therapy in Aurora, Illinois, as well as virtual therapy throughout Illinois. Our team works with children, teens, young adults, and adults with concerns including anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief and loss, trauma, family dynamics, emotional regulation, and life transitions.
If you have been thinking about starting therapy but have been nervous about taking that first step, we would be happy to talk with you. You can schedule a free 15-minute consultation or schedule an intake right away at:
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