Your First Visit
If I am going to a new restaurant I like to look it up online so I can have an understanding of what to expect when I get there such as the menu, parking, hours of service etc. In a similar way I want to provide you with some information about what your first visit with me will look like.
Prior to coming to therapy I encourage clients to check two things. First, if you are using any medication, please check what medication and dosage. I am a strong believer in caring for the whole person, this includes the physical and if there is medication involved it is important to know for treatment purposes. Second, I encourage clients to check with their insurance providers if psychotherapy is included in their coverage.
I use the plat form doxy.me for my virtual counselling room. It is a simple and user friendly process to sign on for your session. You will receive appointment reminders for your session. In this reminder is a link for you to click. Simply click this link, type in your name and you will be automatically entered into my virtual waiting room.
(Want to be let in on a little secret? The link is the same every time! If you prefer, you can save the link to a location of your choice on your device and have it readily available to you).
One of my first questions to you will be “what brought you to therapy today?” I encourage all my new clients to think about this question before we meet. Your first time in therapy can be overwhelming. Having a prepared answer to this question will help get the conversation started and guide us to a successful first session together.
The first session is a time for me to get to know you. We will review the logistics of our sessions including length, confidentiality, cancellation policy and payment options. I will ask questions to get a snap shot into your life, where you are now and where you would like to be. My hope is that we can leave the first session with goals to work on for our future sessions.
This first session is also a time for you to get to know me! Your therapy will work best if we work together, you can ask me any question that you have. As a Registered Psychotherapist I am part of the college of registered psychotherapist (CRPO). The CRPO provides a list of questions you may want to ask your Registered Psychotherapist. My goal is to ensure you feel confident working with me, if for any reason you don't feel this way that is ok. I will happily refer you to another registered psychotherapist.
After leaving your first therapy session its is not uncommon to experience a wave of emotions on the way home or later that day. Coming to therapy is unique as it allows us intentional time to process and share not only thoughts but emotions. You may not realize how much you were holding in until after the session is over. The wave of emotions is our body catching up to the release of what was experienced in therapy. If you feel this way, that is not negative. It is a first step on a journey that you need to take. To recover spend a few moments taking slow deep breaths and allow your body to exhale the weight that had been holding you.
The first visit to therapy is just the beginning. As we work together I hope to empower, encourage and equip you to manage whatever brought you through the (virtual) doors for that very first session.