What to Expect

It is important to remind yourself that you have already taken the hardest step, which is realising the need to seek support for yourself and acting on it.

A good tip to prepare for your first session would be to make a list of issues or challenges you want to discuss, your desired goals or outcomes, and any questions you would like to ask the counsellor.

Here is what you can expect from start to finish of an initial triage appointment: The counsellor will often first discuss how confidentiality works and explain the purpose of the initial session, which is typically to gather background information from you.

Usually, they will then get into the following questions and topics:

1. Why you have come to see them and what your motivations are.

2. About your history and your family's mental health history.

3. What are the issues you are dealing with.

During the first session it is important to be open and honest with your counsellor, it is also important to remember that you do not need to go into too much detail. The initial session is more about building a trusting relationship with your counsellor.

Towards the end of your session, your counsellor may summarise everything that has been discussed, give you strategies/techniques or resources to investigate, and tasks to do once you leave so you can start to work on your goals outside of therapy. Please feel free to take notes during the session of anything that stands out for you.

You may want to rebook straight away or allow yourself time to process it all. It is important that you feel like you have made a connection with your counsellor, and as relationships vary depending on the individual, we don't want you to feel pressured if you felt you didn't click. We have other counsellors at Positive Future Self, and your counsellor may have even discussed one of our other counsellors with you during your appointment.