My first therapy session, goals, and the contract - your questions to Dr, Hayden Finch

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You can find the transcription here: https://www.kasiamay.com/blog/my-first-therapy-session-goals-and-the-contract/

This is the second time I am asking Dr. Hayden Finch for answering some of your questions. This time it is about the first therapy session, goals and the contract with your therapist. Of course, I will share with you my experience but I decided it would be great to start from something not so subjective to give you professional feedback. Dr. Hayden Finch is an experienced psychologist who supports a lot of people on their inner journeys. Take under your consideration the things she shares are based on therapeutic experience in the United States. If you live somewhere else, some things can be different.

Unfortunately, there is the entire ocean between us, so we communicate via emails and you will not listen to the nice voice of Hayden on the record. If you prefer listening than reading, I will tell you every word Hayden shared with us there!

How the first session with a therapist look like?

Hayden: Each therapist conducts their first sessions a little bit differently, and the first session is usually very different from subsequent appointments.  Usually, at the first appointment, you’ll start out by completing paperwork that’s pretty typical at any type of healthcare appointment. Then, the therapist will talk to you about confidentiality and basic office policies.  After that, they will usually ask you to talk about your primary concerns, like what you’re struggling with that brought you in for an appointment.

Usually, most of the first session is spent discussing what’s bothering you, your thoughts about it, and how it’s developed over time.  Often, the therapist will also ask you a few general questions about your family history, medical history, medications, education, work, etc. so they can better understand you as a whole and start to put some of the pieces together in terms of what you’re dealing with and what the best treatment approaches would be.  

The appointment typically ends with time to ask the therapist any questions you have.  Sometimes in that first appointment and sometimes in the next appointment, you and your therapist will set goals for therapy, talk about treatment options, and decide on a plan for reaching your goals.  

What kind of goals we can have during therapy?

Hayden: Your therapy goals will be unique to you.  Practically anything you’re struggling with emotionally, behaviorally, or cognitively can be a goal for therapy.  Most often, people set goals in therapy to change something — face a fear, replace an unhealthy habit, improve their relationships (with themselves or with others), etc.  

You can find the transcription here: https://www.kasiamay.com/blog/my-first-therapy-session-goals-and-the-contract/

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