What can I expect from my first appointment with a clinician?

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from my first appointment with a clinician?

For persons who have not been in therapy before, thinking about meeting for the first time with a psychologist can be unsettling. You may wonder what the psychologist will ask, and if you should tell personal things about yourself. Most people are nervous when they first come in. Your psychologist will primarily want to hear the reasons you made the appointment, what you have already tried to do to solve the problems, and what you hope to gain from therapy.

To best understand your situation, your psychologist will likely want to know how things are going in the important parts of your life (relationships, work, school, etc.) and about your family background. In doing an assessment of your needs, the psychologist can then tell you his/her professional opinion of what may help. During this time, ask any questions that you think may help you make your decision about therapy.

You and your psychologist will decide whether continuing therapy work together would be the best recommendation, or if other services would better fit your needs. Choosing a psychologist who has a personality style and therapy philosophy that fits for you is very important. If you decide to continue to work together, you will together develop goals and schedule the next session. If you do not feel comfortable with the psychologist for any reason, please say so as your psychologist will be happy to provide you with a referral to another therapist.