Category: Counseling Services

What can I expect at my first counseling appointment?

It takes courage to schedule your first counseling or therapy session, and before that it may have taken a lot to even decide to ask for help. But, life can be hard and we all need support now and then. The UP Counseling Center is a safe place to process your experiences and feelings and get the support you need for your mental health.

Even if you’re confident about your decision to start (or continue) therapy, it’s normal to feel nervous about the first meeting. Remember, the purpose of the first session is to help you and your therapist get to know each other, assess your needs, and help you decide if the relationship seems like a good fit. While it may feel awkward or uncomfortable to sit down with someone new, it’s an important step on the process toward your well being.

In your first session, the counselor or therapist will ask questions to help you talk about yourself, your concerns, and what is bringing you to counseling at this time. They'll probably also ask about your relationships, how you cope when things are hard, and what hopes, goals, fears, and expectations you may have for therapy. They will also answer your questions about how counseling works and their approach to counseling. Additionally, they may offer information and referrals to other campus resources to help support you.

It's important to know that your first session might be emotionally draining, even if you don’t initially expect it to be. You might feel a lot of emotions, and even cry, whether you mean to or not. This is totally natural. Not every session will be intense, but being open and candid with your therapist is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

After your session you might feel relieved, exhausted, exhilarated, or anywhere in between. It takes a lot of energy (mental, emotional, and physical) to talk with someone new about things that are private and/or difficult. Give yourself some time and space to rest and reflect. Take a walk, have something to eat, or do something fun. Consider journaling about your experience and about things you want to talk about next time. Most importantly, feel good about investing in your wellness.