It can be an unnerving process having your first counselling session. The thought of it alone can spark anxiety in a lot of people.  What will you discuss? What will the counsellor think of you? How much should you tell them? Will you run out of things to talk about?

These are all perfectly natural questions. Many clients come to a session and you can tell by their body language that they are nervous. As a counsellor, it is up to me to help you to relax and put you at ease. Some people can't wait to get started, diving in at 100mph and talking about all the things they have had bottled up. Whereas others need a bit more coaxing to open up. 

I find that it's best to go over the contract to start with. Though this may sound a little too official, it helps clients to understand what to expect from counselling and what is expected of them. Things like being on time, contact outside of the sessions and regular sessions, all help to establish a rapport so we know where each other stands. You can talk to me about what you expect to get from your time and ask any questions you may have. 

 Often, it may be a good idea to do a wellbeing test so we both get an idea of how you are doing. The questions are simple and help me to understand what you're going through and can open up areas that you may want to explore (sometimes things that you hadn't even considered). 

Going through the working agreement and wellbeing test will usually take up the whole of the first session, and sometimes part of the following session too. So try not to worry about what you want to say and trust in the process. It will help you to lay a good foundation to your therapy. 

For those that prefer to have more space, I provide outdoor therapy where we can walk and talk. Giving your thoughts room to breathe whilst getting gentle exercise, getting out into nature and experiencing it's calmness.

Therapy can help you to get a deeper understanding of yourself, meaning you are able to face challenges in life with more certainty that you are doing the right thing. It focuses on assisting you to live authentically, knowing that you are a loved and valid person. 

Confidentiality is key in building a relationship and I hope that I can gain your trust so that you can get the most out of the sessions.