#1: Your First Psychotherapy Session: Things to be Aware of and How to Prepare
May 02, 2023
Therapy session in progress.Choosing to see a therapist for the first time can feel daunting. But as with many things, taking the first step is often the hardest part. Once you find a psychotherapist, they will guide you through the process and help you navigate the unknown.
Before starting therapy, there are some common questions you may wish to address.
Preparing for your first Therapy session: Balancing intention and surrender
The answer is yes and no. While preparing some bullet points is always a good idea, normally whatever arises in a session is what needs to be prioritised. We believe it is a balance between intention and surrendering to your subconscious in the therapeutic process.
When engaging in psychotherapy, most people’s primary goal is to work through something(s) they are struggling with, or to get help to arrive at a place they want to be.
Your first step might be searching for a therapist online. And your next – whether that be the next day or the next year – might be booking an appointment. It may take a few attempts to show up at a session. It takes courage and motivation to start anything new, yet alone when you are not doing so well.
We believe what matters most is that you try to show up for yourself.
Privacy and confidentiality in Psychotherapy
The privacy of EU citizens is protected by the highest standards. Psychotherapists are required to adhere to the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) privacy laws. Every registered therapist is also required to adhere to their governing body’s ‘code of ethics’.
If your privacy or confidentiality has not been maintained, you can contact your therapist’s governing body. This can often be found listed on their website. If a psychotherapist is not registered with a governing body, this might prevent you from seeking guidance, reporting a concern, or making a complaint in relation to your therapeutic experience.
The European GDPR laws require psychotherapists to ensure your personal data is obtained and stored responsibly using secure online systems.
At Hue, your entitlement to privacy and confidentiality is sacrosanct. And it is our duty to protect it at all times.
Frequency of Counseling sessions
There is no prescribed volume or recommended frequency for sessions. However, from our clinical experience – and depending on your individual needs – sessions may occur as follows:
- Acute crisis: 1 session every week
- General solution-focused work: 1-2 sessions every two weeks
- Maintenance: 1 session per month
Remote Therapy: A convenient and effective alternative
Yes, remote therapy does work and has been growing in popularity since the pandemic.
While we always recommend face-to-face meetings, remote therapy is a very effective and worthwhile practice when in-person meetings are not possible.
If you are in an immediate crisis, a video call with a psychotherapist can be easier to get to than an in-person session. Remote therapy can also be beneficial for anyone suffering from social anxiety or others for whom in-person sessions might initially feel uncomfortable.
Please remember that switching to in-person appointments is possible whenever an individual feels comfortable.
When working with children, we do not recommend remote therapy as kids often display lower levels of engagement and decreased focus when sessions are carried out online. We strongly recommend in-person appointments unless clients are in their late teens.
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