What to Expect During Your First Counselling Session

What to Expect During Your First Counselling Session

• Kate Pindera
• 12 Sep 2024

Counselling is an integral part of the rehabilitation process. With an estimated 21% of Canadians meeting the criteria for addiction in their lifetimes, the role of therapy is more important than ever. Making the decision to seek help for addiction is one of the most important steps you can take. However, once you’ve gone through the detoxification process, supporting your mental health by signing up for your first counselling session is an excellent ongoing strategy.

Counselling, or therapy, can be conducted in a group setting, with your family, or as a personal, one-on-one session. Depending on your needs, counselling sessions might be more frequent early on, and then gradually reduce over time. 

We understand starting therapy can be intimidating. We’ve created this guide on what to expect in your first therapy session to help you feel prepared. Keep reading to learn what to expect when you go to the therapist’s office for the first time.

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How to Prepare for Your First Therapy Session 

Getting to this stage means you’ve already acknowledged there’s an issue and sought help for substance abuse. You’re likely finishing or nearing the end of your medical detox. Before attending your first counselling session, here’s what you need to do. 

Fill Out the Paperwork 

Counselling is another medical step toward rehabilitation, so for our team to best help you, we’ll need to know about your medical history and background. Everything you disclose is confidential information and will only be used to ensure the treatment you’re getting is what you need and appropriate for you. It’s this information that ensures you have access to concurrent treatment programs that are the best fit for you.

Some forms you might be asked to fill out before the beginning of your first therapy session are:

• Insurance information
• Medical history information
• Therapist-patient service agreement
• A questionnaire about your symptoms

If you feel uncomfortable filling out these forms or need extra assistance, you can wait until you’re face-to-face with your therapist to complete them.

Set Realistic Expectations 

Before your first therapy session begins, understand that recovery doesn’t follow a fixed timeline. One or even a few sessions won’t solve all your problems, but it will get you on the right path. 

In our rehabilitation centre, patients participate in programs for varying lengths of time. Understand that there’s no one road or shortcut to recovery. Focus on your goals instead, and know there are many paths to get there.

During your first therapy appointment, expect to spend time getting to know each other and developing a treatment plan. There will likely be many questions from both sides, so be prepared for open communication, vulnerability, and honesty. 

What to Expect From the First Counselling Session 

Your therapist or counsellor will want to get to know you more deeply, and will do this by gathering information on your goals, symptoms, and addiction or mental health issues. Here are some possible topics of discussion:

• Home life
• Mental health
• Physical health
• Medical history
• Addiction history and patterns
• What to expect from sessions

They might ask you some variation of the following questions:

• What are your symptoms?
• What brought you to therapy?
• What do you feel is wrong or needs work in your life?
• What are your goals for therapy?

The sessions following your first counselling session will be more therapeutic, with the intent of understanding your specific situation. The main goal of counselling for addiction is to change the way you think about substances and to give you tools for moving forward. You should expect to discuss these in detail.

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What to Ask During Your First Therapy Appointment 

During your first counselling session, you can ask your therapist questions. The therapy process is a dialogue built on understanding and openness.

Use this opportunity to get to know your therapist and the counselling resources available to you. You can discuss possible approaches to recovery, your therapist’s training and experience, and their goals for your sessions.

Some questions you can ask are:

• What is the level of confidentiality?
• How long will each session last?
• What can I expect to happen in future sessions?

It’s important to be comfortable disclosing information about yourself to your therapist or counsellor. Establishing a relationship based on trust and respect is an important factor for your recovery and mental health, but it takes both parties to form this relationship.

Related: How to Choose a Therapist That’s Right For You

What Happens in Therapy? 

This is another great question to ask in your first therapy appointment, but it’s important to remember that there are many ways to approach mental health. Therapy can take numerous forms, and each session can differ from person to person. At Freedom From Addiction, we offer both individual and group counselling programs with varying modalities.

Individual Counselling 

Individual counselling focuses on one-on-one work with a trained mental health professional. It’s a form of psychotherapy that allows you to share information confidentially and have an open discussion about the challenges you’re facing. 

Because every individual has a unique set of needs, there’s no distinct formula. However, there are common approaches to a counselling session, which are:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
• Solutions-Focused Therapy
• Narrative Therapy

Group Counselling 

As the name suggests, this type of counselling creates discussion among a small group of individuals. Each person shares their experiences and listens to others, making everyone feel involved and heard. 

Group counselling helps with addiction recovery issues, like relapse. With peers supporting you in every session, it boosts motivation and removes the feeling of isolation. By covering difficult topics using therapy tools and mechanisms, group discussions inspire adaptability, growth, and strength, which greatly help in the recovery process.

Schedule your First Session With Freedom From Addiction 

Now that you know how to prepare for your first therapy session, it’s time to find a program that can support your goals. Freedom From Addiction offers diverse mental health programs led by trained, compassionate counsellors who can help you build the tools to address mental health issues. Our personalized approach allows us to focus on each individual and give you the care you deserve.

Whatever your situation might be, we are here for you from the time you book your first counselling session. For more information about our mental health programs, contact us here.