So you’re thinking about your first therapy session…there’s a lot of uncertain feelings and thoughts about the who, what, when, where, and how. Let’s dive into what a therapy intake may look like. First, we can start with a consultation which is an opportunity for you and I to determine if we’re a good fit for each other. This would include your reasons for wanting to start therapy, questions about therapy and its costs, and what you expect in a counselor and what to get out of therapy.
The outline of the intake process depends on the agency that you work with, but there will be some baseline things to expect. At Embracing Minds Counseling, the intake process will most likely consist of two to three sessions. We will discuss your presenting problems and basic information such as your relationship with family, friends, work, and goals to get a better sense of your needs and how we can use this information to develop a treatment plan. The treatment plan and information you provide will always be confidential and HIPAA protected, meaning your information will not be shared unless you are planning to harm yourself, harm others, or if your case is subpoenaed by law. During the course of intake, we will also naturally start to build a therapeutic relationship as a counselor and client which is important for us to collaborate and help you meet your goals. In summary, the intake process is designed to provide a safe zone for you, build rapport, and collaborate on your goals.
Building rapport is a gradual process that helps establish trust, comfort, and safety for you as the client. Rapport starts to build during the first few sessions which consists of asking you questions to develop a sense of who you are as a person such as your background, your interests, your relationships, your routines etc. in order to understand who you are as a person and how to best support you in your therapeutic journey. You may also be asked about your emotional, mental, and physical health as far as medications and any symptoms you’re experiencing that may be affecting your therapeutic journey. As you share personal things about yourself, it is important to note that you can share at your own pace. It is completely up to you to share what you are comfortable with and your boundaries on certain topics that you’re not ready for will be respected.