What to expect in your first counselling session

Starting therapy is a significant step, and it's completely normal to feel nervous about what the first session will involve. An initial consultation is designed to be low-pressure — it's as much a chance for you to see whether we're a good fit as it is for me to understand what's brought you to therapy.

We'll usually spend some time talking about what you're hoping to get from therapy, a little about your background, and any questions you have about how I work. There's no obligation to continue after this first session — it's simply a starting point.

You don't need to prepare anything in particular. Many people find it helpful to jot down a few thoughts beforehand about what's brought them to this point, but it's just as fine to arrive without a plan and let the conversation unfold naturally.