You booked your first therapy session at Dóchas in Spruce Grove, but now what?
You finally did it. You clicked the ‘book’ button and now you’re left staring at your computer screen with more questions than you started with, including:
- What am I supposed to do when I get to the clinic?
- How do I talk about what’s been going on?
- Do I need to bring anything?
It’s Megan, Dóchas’ client care facilitator, on the blog and I am a firm believer in ‘worrying means you suffer twice’, so let me help ease your mind by taking you through a typical first session at our clinic. Keep reading or watch my video for more information.
Step 1: Paperwork, Ugh
A mundane, yet necessary, step in the process of getting started with therapy.
After you book your appointment, you will receive an email with the appropriate intake & consent forms to fill out prior to your appointment. These form(s) will require you to input your personal information, billing /insurance details, and it will go over our clinic policies. If you are unable to access your email, or don’t have an email address, don’t fret! These forms can also be completed within our office on your practitioners office device, or we can have a copy printed out for you to fill out the old fashioned way!
Step 2: Showing Up to Therapy
The second step, which might be the biggest, is to just show up!
We encourage you to arrive as early to your appointment as you’re comfortable. We have two cozy waiting areas for you to chill out, have a snack (perhaps a hi-chew and a hot chocolate), and wait for your session start time. Your practitioner is expecting you, so there is no need to check in. I might pop my head out of my office to double check that you’re here at the right time, but your job is done by just showing up. If you scheduled a virtual appointment, you will receive a link to join the video call one hour prior to your session start time. Make sure you are alone, in a safe, comfortable space, and that your lovely face is within the frame of the video.
What to Bring to Therapy
This is completely up to you! Here are a few ideas for items you can bring to your session to make your session more comfortable:
- Your emotional support water bottle
- A notebook with questions and talking points scribbled inside
- A fidget toy or a stress ball
- Your favourite comfy clothes
- A venti iced chai tea latte, or whatever your favourite drink is!
Now is also a good time for me to mention that our clinic is service animal friendly, so please feel free to bring your registered service animal with you to your session, I promise you’ll make our day.
Step 3: Your Therapy Session Begins
Once your appointment time arrives, your practitioner will come out to greet you and bring you into their office space. Feel free to bring any snacks or drinks into the office with you, we want you to feel comfortable and hydrated in your session. You’ll take a seat in one of the cozy couches or chairs provided and your practitioner will take it away from there! You’ll go over practical details like confidentiality, how sessions typically work, and any policies you should know about. Remember, therapy is a collaboration. It’s okay to speak up if something isn’t clear or if you have preferences about how you’d like to work together. Your practitioner is there to hear you out and to answer any questions you may have.
Step 4: You Made it Through Your First Therapy Session!
I knew you could do it!
Your first session is over and (hopefully) you’ve gotten all the first-time jitters out of your system. Prior to your appointment, you had filled out an intake form which included your billing information, so there is no need to check out with anyone else in the clinic, unless you’d like to pop by and say ‘see ya next time’ to me on your way out! Of course, if you have any questions or concerns, you can absolutely have a seat in my office, and I would be happy to help you out in any way I can. Otherwise, grab a bag of chips from our snack cabinet for the road and call it a day.
Things to Remember
There is no right way to do therapy. It’s your practitioner’s job to get to know YOU, without judgement. If you are feeling anxious, uncertain, or even intimidated about your first session, you are not alone. Showing up is already a victory and you aren’t expected to know what to say or where to begin. You totally got this.
If you’d like to book your first session at Dóchas, please reach out to Dóchas at 780-446-0300 or info@dochaspsych.com. Book an in-person (Spruce Grove) or virtual (Alberta) appointment with one of our therapists here. We’ve also got free 15 minute meet and greets with our therapists here.
About Dóchas Psychological
Dóchas Psychological Services is a well-established and trusted therapy clinic located in Spruce Grove, Alberta. At Dóchas we value the idea that everyone deserves a safe space. Through connection and education, our team works hard to build a trustworthy relationship with each of our clients. It is our goal to create a community for our clients to feel like they belong.
Disclaimer
Information provided through Dóchas Psychological Services blogs or vlogs is meant for educational purposes only. They are NOT medical or mental health advice. You can read more about our disclaimer here.
