What to Expect During Your First Mental Health Appointment
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Lindsay Knake is a brand journalist and project plan...
Key Takeaways
- Preparation can help ease first-appointment nerves. Before your session, identify your goals, think about the issues you want to discuss and have your insurance information ready.
- The first session is typically an intake appointment. Expect questions about your mental health history, treatment goals and life circumstances, while also learning about your therapist’s approach and experience.
- Therapy is a process that builds over time. It can take several sessions to determine whether a therapist is the right fit, and many people see improvements within eight to 12 sessions while developing skills to manage life’s challenges.
If you’re just starting out with therapy or counseling, it’s normal to feel a little nervous about what to expect at your first appointment.
By taking a little time to determine your goals in therapy and considering a few questions for your therapist, you can feel prepared to move forward. Here are some ideas of what to expect in your first mental health appointment.
Preparing for your appointment
Once you have made your first mental health appointment, you may want to ask yourself some questions and even take notes on your answers.
- What are your goals for therapy?
- What issues, past or present, do you want to discuss?
- What do you want to change?
- What outcome are you looking for?
- Are you looking for short-term help for a specific problem or open-ended therapy?
Have your health insurance information ready for the appointment. You may upload the information into a portal or fill out paperwork at the office. Log in to your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan account to see your coverage for mental health treatment.
Your first appointment
Your first appointment is typically an intake session. Your new mental health professional will introduce themselves and ask several questions. Common questions include:
- Your reason for seeking treatment
- Your goals for therapy
- Past therapy or mental health treatment
- Any mental health diagnoses
- Your background and life circumstances
It’s OK to hold back on discussing experiences or feelings you aren’t ready to, especially before you learn if your therapist is a good fit.
The mental health professional will likely also share the modalities they are trained in and use, including whether they offer exercises or homework between sessions. They may describe approaches such as:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
- Internal family systems (IFS) therapy
- Eye movement and desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma
As you head into counseling, keep in mind the vast majority of therapy is short-term. Many people who get therapy see improvements within eight to 12 sessions, while others may need therapy for longer, depending on the severity of illness and the type of treatment.
At the first appointment, you can ask questions about their training and experience, in addition to housekeeping items such as how they handle cancellations or whether they offer telehealth appointments.
This intake session is also an opportunity for you to see whether you think the mental health professional is a good fit for you and you feel comfortable talking with this person. It may take a few sessions before you figure this out, and you can always have a conversation about fit with your therapist. Building trust with your therapist can take time like with any other new relationship.
After your first session
You may feel tired or fatigued after your first session. That’s normal after you have been vulnerable. Practice self-compassion and take care of yourself. You may want to give yourself time to rest, eat a healthy snack or meal and stay hydrated.
Therapy is an opportunity for you to understand and gain skills to manage your challenges, not only about anxiety, depression or other mental health conditions. The work you do with your therapist can change over time depending on your needs.
Blue Cross also offers members access to a growing network of behavioral health crisis services throughout Michigan. Learn more about mental health and options you have as a member to seek help at bcbsm.com/mentalhealth.
Photo credit: Getty Images
