The first counseling session is often referred to as the intake session. An intake is essentially a way for the therapist to gather as much information about you, including family history, medical history etc. via their pre-printed intake form. If you are using insurance to pay for part of your session you will also be expected to provide your insurance information for billing purposes. Usually, the Therapist will have a receptionist or secretary who will hand you this form before your session. Give yourself enough time before your appointment to fill the form out in its entirety.
Be punctual. Punctuality is very important. Your one-hour session is actually forty-five to fifty minutes in length. The extra time is used by the Therapist for required paperwork and documentation. If you are late to your appointment it can put the Therapist behind for the rest of their day.
Your Therapist may request that both you and your partner come together in the first session. The Therapist may also suggest you both attend one session alone, without the other being there. Another way to handle this is to have both of you come in, meet with both individually for a few minutes and then bring you both in together. This process allows the therapist time to get to ask you each individual questions and to get a good feel for what your expectations are while in counseling.
Before the end of your first session your Therapist may give you a test of sorts. Something that you will take home and fill out. Sometimes it is a questionnaire or it may be an exercise that the Therapist wants you to do together. Usually you would bring the results back at your next session, approximately one-week later. This is useful for the Therapist to see at a glance what your motives, expectations, disappointments, satisfaction and overall picture of your relationship.
The second session should be scheduled for approximately one-week later.
Again, it is important to stress that if you are not comfortable with the Therapist after the first session, seek another Therapist. In order for counseling to be successful both partners need to be active participants and you should feel comfortable and at ease with your Therapist. The same goes for the Therapist. If they don’t feel that they are the best person to counsel you they have a duty to refer you to another Therapist.
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