What to expect when seeing a psychologist

Therapy sessions:

1. Before your first therapy session it is important to prepare by completing any presession paperwork (intake/consent forms), bring or send your referral prior to the session and arrive on time. Some people like to prepare talking points so they don’t forget the important things they wanted to bring up.

2. During the session, be as present as possible. A good example of this is having your phone on silent/DND, some clients even like to take off their smart watches.

3. The therapist knows and appreciates a first session is scary! and will do everything they can to make you feel comfortable to open up.

4. During the session, it is really normal for big emotions to come up. It’s okay if you cry!

5. Be ready to ‘do the work’, be open and expect to the challenged. A reason therapy is effective is the therapeutic relationship allows for you to be raw and therapist to ask tough questions/challenge how you think; this is why its different than talking to a friend or loved one.

6. Sessions range from 50-60mins.

After therapy it’s normal if you feel:

motivated

drained

tired

anxious

vulnerable

light or ‘weight lifted’

have a sense of direction

heard & validated

energised

enlightened

exposed

happy

After therapy expectations

Therapy is not just about what happens inside the room. Following the session you may be asked to:

reflect on the session - write notes or reminders

take time to process themes discussed in the session

make space for the emotions brought up in therapy

goal setting

action ‘challenges/tasks’ set in therapy

journaling

practice skills discussed in session

remind yourself it’s normal to have ups & downs

Starting therapy is a scary and intimating decision. You should be proud of yourself for making it to the first appointment and making that commitment to yourself.

The relationship between you & the psychologist e.g. the Therapeutic Relationship

The therapeutic relationship between a client and a psychologist is foundational to the process of therapy. It is characterised by a professional, collaborative, and confidential partnership between the two parties. The psychologist provides a safe and nonjudgmental space for the client to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, while the client engages openly and honestly in the therapeutic process.
Central to this relationship is the concept of trust. The client must feel confident in the psychologist’s competence, empathy, and commitment to their well-being, while the psychologist must respect the client's autonomy, promote their self-determination, and act in their best interest.
Effective communication and active listening are essential components of the therapeutic relationship. The psychologist demonstrates empathy, understanding, and acceptance, while the client expresses themselves openly and works collaboratively with the psychologist to set and achieve therapeutic goals.
Boundaries are also a crucial aspect of the therapeutic relationship, ensuring the professional nature of the interaction and safeguarding the well-being of both parties. The psychologist maintains clear boundaries to uphold the integrity and ethical standards of the therapeutic process, while the client is encouraged to engage within these established limits.
Overall, the therapeutic relationship is a vital element in facilitating positive therapeutic outcomes. Through trust, communication, collaboration, and healthy boundaries, the psychologist and client work together to explore, understand, and address the client’s challenges, leading to personal growth, emotional healing, and positive change.

Key take away: You need to be able to feel safe, supported, heard and have trust with your psychologist. If this doesn’t feel right it’s okay to change therapist as there is no “one-size fits all” to psychology and you may connect better with someone else.

What to expect from an initial session with me:

Are you nervous about booking in your initial session? Is that holding you back from taking the leap? It is so normal to have fear of the "unknown," but clinging on to your comfort zone keeps you living a life you don't love!

Here is a little insight into what to expect for a session with me:
1. A calm and inviting space. Candles, music, cosy couch.
2. Share a cup of tea with me to calm the nerves
3. My initial sessions use a holistic approach to explore all about you so I can get to know who you are as a person
4. We will make a plan together about what your therapy journey will start focusing on and set some initial goals
5. Following the session, you may feel motivated, lighter, and calm, or you could feel emotional and sleepy. It's important to be kind to yourself
I would love to work with you and support you to thrive.

Do you have a few more questions?

Schedule in a FREE call with Maddison here.