What to Expect When Beginning Individual Therapy
Starting therapy is an important step, and it is natural to have questions or uncertainties about what the process will involve.
The first session is designed to provide clarity, structure, and a safe space for us to begin exploring what has brought you to therapy. If you are considering individual therapy, understanding how the process begins can help you feel more confident about taking that first step.
The First Session
Our work together begins by creating a counselling agreement.
This agreement helps address any anxieties you may have about starting therapy by clearly outlining how the process works, answering questions, and clarifying expectations.
The first session is also an opportunity for me to listen carefully to what has brought you to therapy, understand the difficulties you are experiencing, and explore what you hope to achieve through our work together.
This initial conversation helps us begin to build a therapeutic framework that feels safe, collaborative, and suited to your individual needs.
Therapy Tailored to You
Individual counselling is not a one-size-fits-all process.
Together, we will agree on an approach that best supports your goals, circumstances and hopes for therapy.
Short-Term Therapy
A time-limited agreement, such as 12 sessions, with regular reviews built in to reflect on progress and thoughtfully explore endings.
Long-Term Therapy
Open-ended work that allows for deeper exploration over time, with regular reviews to reflect on progress and ensure therapy continues to meet your needs.
The structure of therapy is always shaped around what is most helpful and appropriate for you.
Agreeing How We Work Together
At the beginning of therapy, we will also agree practical arrangements, including how often we meet.
For some people, this may involve a regular weekly day and time. For others, particularly where shift patterns or changing schedules are involved, we may agree more flexible arrangements.
Each session lasts 50 minutes, and a receipt for payment will be provided at the end of each session.
If there are occasions when I am unavailable, such as for continuing professional development (CPD) training or planned breaks, I will provide as much notice as possible. Where helpful, we can also agree confirmation of your next appointment by text.
We will also discuss confidentiality and agree how contact between sessions will work, ensuring this feels clear and appropriate for both of us.
Creating a Safe Framework
The counselling agreement is there to create a clear and supportive framework for our work together.
Its purpose is to reduce uncertainty, share important information, answer questions, and establish a mutual understanding of how therapy will proceed.
Beginning therapy can feel daunting, but having this structure in place often helps create a sense of safety and reassurance.
Beginning the Conversation
Within the “What I Offer” section of my website, you will find some suggested questions that may help you reflect on what you would like to bring to the first session.
There is no expectation to arrive with everything worked out.
Often, therapy begins simply with a sense that something needs attention, understanding, or change.
Many people begin individual therapy because they are experiencing anxiety, relationship difficulties, low mood, stress, loss, life transitions, or a desire for greater self-understanding. Whatever brings you to therapy, we can work together to explore it at a pace that feels right for you.
Finding the right day and time to begin is an important part of making therapy accessible, and I hope we can find a space that works well for you.
The Ethical Foundation of Therapy
All therapeutic work is guided by a professional code of ethics.
This includes a commitment to:
- Respecting your autonomy and right to self-determination
- Acting with beneficence and working in your best interests
- Avoiding harm
- Supporting self-respect and personal growth
- Providing fair, respectful, and impartial care
These principles underpin every aspect of the therapeutic relationship.
Taking the First Step
Taking the first step towards therapy can feel significant, but it is often the beginning of greater clarity, self-understanding, and meaningful change.
To learn more about the approach I take and the issues we can explore together, please visit my Individual Therapy page.
Beginning Individual Therapy