Seeing a psychologist who is highly trained and dedicated to psychological care can help you get back on track and live your best life.
At the first session, people often say that it has taken all their courage to make the call and set up the appointment. Turning up to the appointment and following through can feel like a big leap into the unknown.
You don’t need to prepare a speech or a story for the first session. Knowing what happens at the first appointment might help you to feel more relaxed and prepared. There’s no work to be done before you attend, just come as you are and we’ll work it out together.
The first appointment is an assessment style of appointment where I learn more about you and the situation that has prompted you to reach out for support. It is quite different to a therapy appointment and might feel a little like a Q&A session! We will spend time together in a safe space to discuss and explore the issues and difficulties you’ve been experiencing.
Detailed questions about your life including your background, your living situation, your work/study routine, your sleep and appetite, your medical history, your interests and hobbies and your personal history will be asked.
These questions are an important way for you to communicate all about your function, coping, thoughts, feelings, and behaviour – to help your psychologist work with you to understand your life and circumstances. The assessment is an important first step, as it will help your psychologist understand your concerns, what’s troubling you and, more importantly, how to help you.
The first time you visit any psychologist, you will need to talk about confidentiality, which is your right to privacy, and what information will remain private between the two of you. This will involve you signing a consent form to allow your psychologist to contact important people in your care, including your GP.
Some typical questions and areas of life you may be asked about are –
- Why you sought therapy – is there a reason or particular issue that is currently bothering you and something that made you choose now to make an appointment?
- Your current history and personal circumstances – for example your living situation, relationship status, your work/study life and current situation
- Your current symptoms – for example how the issues you’re experiencing are making you think, feel and behave.
This session can feel intense and more like an interview than therapy! This is a normal process. The psychologist’s role in this first session is to collect all the relevant information about you to understand how you are feeling and the issues you are facing.
Your psychologist will then work with you to develop an individual treatment plan. The first session usually does not involve any treatment. It is an information gathering and getting to know you session. By the end of the first session, you will get some feedback on what your psychologist thinks and how treatment might look moving forward.
The treatment plan will include what treatment strategies will work for you, how often you will need visit (e.g. weekly or fortnightly) and the length of time of your treatment (which can vary from weeks to months depending on need).
Be sure to go to your first session with realistic expectations. Therapy is not a quick fix but a process. The first session can be an exhausting one. Take the time to care for yourself afterwards, reflect on the experience and know that your psychologist will continue working on your treatment plan, ready to start treatment when you return for your next session!
If you have any questions about seeing a psychologist, would like to make an appointment or need more information, contact me at www.daniellasiciliano.com.au. I’d be happy to hear from you!