Starting Therapy

What to Expect at Your First Psychology Appointment

Starting therapy can bring up a mixture of feelings. You might feel nervous, relieved, uncertain, hopeful, or not quite know what to expect. All of these reactions are completely normal. Your first appointment is an opportunity for us to begin getting to know each other, talk about what has brought you to therapy, and start thinking together about what might be helpful for you.

What We'll Talk About

At the beginning of the appointment, we'll briefly discuss consent, confidentiality and the limits to confidentiality. From there, we'll start exploring what's been happening for you. I may ask about what has brought you to therapy, what has been difficult recently, relevant experiences from your past, and what you might hope to get from our work together. You don't need to have clear goals before you arrive. Sometimes people know exactly what they would like help with, while others simply know that something doesn't feel right or that they would like things to be different. You also don't need to prepare a perfect explanation of what has been happening or know where to begin. It's completely okay if things feel messy, if you jump between topics, become emotional, lose your train of thought, or aren't quite sure what you want from therapy yet. Part of my role is to help us make sense of things together. The first few sessions often involve gathering information and developing a better understanding of you, your experiences and what may be contributing to the difficulties you're experiencing.

You Can Take Your Time

There is no expectation that you tell me everything in your first appointment. Some people find it relatively easy to talk openly from the beginning, while for others it takes time to feel comfortable. Trust develops gradually, and we can work at a pace that feels manageable for you. If there is something you don't feel ready to discuss, you can let me know. Similarly, if you've had previous experiences of therapy or particular approaches that haven't felt helpful, I welcome you telling me about these. It helps me understand how we can make therapy work better for you.

It's Okay to Feel Nervous

Many people feel nervous before their first psychology appointment, particularly if they haven't been to therapy before or if talking about themselves feels unfamiliar. You don't need to hide that nervousness or worry about how you are coming across. There is no right or wrong way to be in therapy, and you aren't being judged on how well you explain yourself, how emotional you become, or whether you know exactly what you need. You can simply arrive as you are.

What to Bring

If you have any relevant letters, reports or other documents, you're welcome to bring these with you. If you would like to claim a Medicare rebate, please ensure that you have a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral from your GP. Without a valid referral, a Medicare rebate cannot be processed.

Payment

Before your first appointment, you'll be asked to complete an online intake and consent form, which includes your payment details. Payments are processed securely online, so you generally won't need to bring your wallet or card. Payment is usually processed on the morning of your appointment. If there are any difficulties processing payment, I'll let you know.

Finding Your Appointment

You'll receive separate information with the address, directions and parking details for your appointment location.

A Final Note

Therapy looks different for everyone. You don't need to know exactly what to say, where to begin, or what you want to work on before you arrive. Our first appointment is simply the beginning of a conversation. We can take things at your pace and gradually develop an understanding of what you need and how therapy might best support you. If you have any questions before your first appointment, you're very welcome to get in touch.