Starting therapy is a significant step, and it is completely normal to feel a bit nervous before your first appointment. My goal for our first session is to create a warm, non-judgmental space where we can begin to get to know each other at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
Rather than a rigid interrogation, think of our first session as an initial roadmap and a collaborative conversation. It centers around three main goals:
1. The Initial Assessment
We will begin looking at what brings you to therapy at this specific moment in your life. I will gather some background information about your history, your current symptoms or struggles (such as your relationship with your body, anxiety, or relational difficulties), and what you hope to achieve. This helps me understand the bigger picture of who you are so we can tailor our future work to your unique needs.
2. Collaboration and Goal Setting
Because I practice from a relational approach, your voice is vital in this process. Together, we will start to identify what goals matter most to you—whether that is healing from weight-bias trauma, dismantling internalized diet culture, processing childhood relational trauma, or finding tools to manage daily anxiety and depression.
3. An Opportunity to Answer Your Questions
A successful therapeutic journey relies on a strong, trusting connection. The final portion of our session is an open invitation for you to ask me questions. You can ask about my clinical background, my therapeutic style, or how we will tackle your specific goals moving forward. It is just as much an opportunity for you to interview me and ensure I am the right fit for your healing journey.
By the end of our 45-to-50-minute session, we will decide together on the next best steps for your care. You will leave with a clear understanding of how we will work together and what to expect from our upcoming sessions.
