Goodtherapy.org states that Individual therapy is a joint process between a therapist and a person in therapy. Common goals of therapy can be to inspire change or improve quality of life. People may seek therapy for help with issues that are hard to face alone. Individual therapy is also called therapy, psychotherapy, psychosocial therapy, talk therapy, and counseling.

Depending on your situation, therapy may be able to help you to have a more positive outlook on life. Therapy can teach you to handle life’s challenges and relationship issues in a healthy way. Overall therapy helps you to work towards a better you. 

Once you have decided to seek help and want to schedule your first therapy session you need to choose a therapist. Below are several things you should know before your appointment.

1. Not all Therapy Sessions are Created Equal: While this may not be the first time you have seen a counselor, know that every practice and therapist is a little different.  Check the credentials of the doctor you are considering.  The practice should have a website with this information.  You can check our psychologist’s credentials at www.gotofsc.com.
2. Therapy is a Journey: For most, therapy is not a one session fix. Some issues are more complex and take time to get to the bottom of what is happening. This process takes patience, but over time may yield the change you are looking for.
3. Therapy is a Team Effort: To get the most out of your session take some time to sit with a pad of paper and gather your thoughts. Be mindful of why you are seeking therapy and list the issues you want to work on. Once you get to your session this will help you to better communicate with your therapist.
4. Your Privacy is a Priority: What you share with your counselor is confidential. This means you have a safe place with no one judging you to fully be transparent about what you are going through.  There are some limits to confidentiality and your therapist will discuss these with you.

• You will be greeted with a smile and asked to fill out some paperwork like Insurance information, HIPPA forms, your medical history including current medications and a questionnaire about your symptoms.
• When ready you will go into your therapist’s office where you will sit down and casually converse about your concerns. Your therapist will listen/jot down notes. They may also ask you questions to further understand what you are going through. During your session feel free to say whatever is on your mind and ask any questions you may have.

• At the end of your session your therapist may repeat back to you have they heard and chat with you about what your goals are. They may have a rough idea of where to start when it comes to a treatment plan and what to focus on in the upcoming sessions.

Going to your first session may feel intimidating but in reality, the process is pretty straightforward and seamless. If you have more questions about your first session, feel free to reach out to our office.