Are you considering booking your first counselling session but feeling anxious about what to expect? Taking that first step towards your mental health well-being is both daunting and courageous. Here's a guide to help ease your nerves and prepare you for a successful initial appointment.
1. A Warm Welcome
The journey begins with a warm welcome. Expect to be greeted with empathy, understanding, and a safe environment to share your thoughts and feelings.
2. Getting Comfortable
Settle in, make yourself comfortable, and take a moment to relax. This session is about creating a space where you feel at ease to open up and we explore together how counselling can help you.
3. Introductions
As your counsellor I will introduce myself and start by getting to know a little about you.
4. Understanding Your Needs
I will ask about what is currently happening in your life and how counselling can support you during this time. The focus is on understanding your challenges and exploring how counselling can help you navigate them effectively.
5. Explaining the Counselling Process
I will explain to you how I work as a counsellor and how your sessions may proceed. This is an opportunity to understand my approach and discuss any specific preferences or concerns you have regarding the counselling process.
6. Lifestyle and Well-Being Check-in
To provide the best support, I may ask about your daily routines, changes in sleep or diet, and overall well-being, gaining a better understanding of any lifestyle factors that could impact your mental health positively or negatively.
7. Tailoring Your Experience
During the session, you have the freedom to share as much or as little as you're comfortable with and ask as many questions as you want, I will adapt to your pace and style, focusing on what serves you best in this initial stage.
8. Scheduling and Availability
We will discuss the scheduling options that suit your needs — whether you prefer a regular time slot or a more flexible approach. Together, we will determine the frequency of your sessions based on what feels right for you.
9. Planning Your Next Steps
If we both feel aligned and ready to move forward, we can arrange your next session.
However, it's also okay if you need more time to consider your options or feel that a different approach might be more suitable.
Taking that first step towards counselling is a significant milestone in your mental health journey. Remember, it is essential to find a counsellor who resonates with you and you feel comfortable with.
In conclusion, your first counselling session is a safe space for you to express yourself openly, share your concerns, and ask all your questions. Embrace this opportunity to prioritise your mental health and well-being, guided by a professional who is dedicated to your growth and healing.
Take that brave step, and remember that you deserve to be heard and supported on your path to emotional wellness. As your counsellor I will be there to guide you, provide insight, and empower you to navigate life's challenges with resilience and strength.
Your mental health matters — and your first counselling session is the beginning of you making a difference to your mental health.
Laura Knight is a qualified and experienced Counsellor and a registered member of BACP (The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
She is an approved Anxiety UK Therapist and has her own private practice SeeClear Counselling, in Poole Dorset.
She can offer face to face, telephone and video counselling sessions.
Laura found that many of her clients would present with Anxiety and because of this enhanced her training to include CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) as there is evidence to suggest that CBT is effective in the treatment of anxiety and depression.
Laura now focuses on working with adults who struggle with Anxiety within her private practice, working with them to reduce the scary physical and emotional symptoms they experience and help them change their negative thinking patterns so they can lead a calmer life.
For more information about Laura please visit her website https://www.seeclearcounselling.co.uk
Or visit her Facebook page https://facebook.com/seeclearcounselling
e-mail laura@seeclearcounselling.co.uk Tel 07975733029
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