What to Expect from Your First Call & First Therapy Session
Reaching out to a therapist is scary.
Not knowing what will happen at your first scheduled appointment is even scarier.
We know that starting therapy can feel like a big step, and for many people, the uncertainty of what to expect holds them back from reaching out. So, let’s take some of that mystery out of the process! Here’s a simple breakdown of what happens during your first phone call and therapy session with us—or with most therapists, really.
The First Phone Call: What to Expect
Every therapist has their own way of doing things, but at Empower Family Therapy, here’s how we get started:
1. Reaching Out
When you call, you’ll likely get our voicemail because we’re often in sessions. But don’t worry! Just leave a message, send an email, or even shoot us a text. Let us know you're interested, and we’ll set up a time for a brief phone consultation.
2. The Phone Consultation
Since it can be tough to catch people at the right moment, we schedule these calls ahead of time. That way, we can both set aside a quiet moment to chat.
During this 15-minute call, we’ll ask a few key questions:
What’s bringing you to therapy?
Why now?
What changes are you hoping to see?
Who would you like involved in your therapy journey?
And one of our most frequently asked questions: Do you have any questions for us? Seriously, ask anything! There are no dumb questions in therapy.
3. Logistics & Next Steps
We’ll talk about things like payment options, our home-based therapy services, and scheduling. If you’re ready to book a session right then, we’ll get it on the calendar. If you need more time to think it over or discuss with a partner or family member, that’s totally fine. Just reach out when you're ready.
Once we schedule, we’ll send you an email confirming the appointment and attaching consent forms. We like to send these ahead of time so you can review them at your own pace and bring up any questions—no surprises!
Your First Therapy Session: What to Expect
1. No Need to Clean for Us!
If we’re meeting at your home, don’t stress about tidying up. Seriously, we’re not here to judge your housekeeping skills.
When we arrive, we usually knock instead of ringing the doorbell (because, you know, sleeping kids). We’ll introduce ourselves, ask if we should take off our shoes, and check in on how your day is going. Then we’ll find a comfortable place to talk—the living room, kitchen table, wherever feels best for you.
2. Quick Paperwork Review
Since you’ve already had a chance to look over the consent forms, we’ll just go over any lingering questions and key points. This keeps things smooth and saves time so we can focus on what really matters.
3. Diving In
From there, we’ll jump into what brought you to therapy. This first session builds on our phone consultation, but we’ll go more in-depth.
No pressure, though. You can share at your own pace.
Our goal is to help you define what you want to change and figure out how we can make that change happen. Therapy is about you and your goals, and we’re here to help you get there.
4. Wrapping Up
Our sessions typically run about 50 minutes, with the last 10 minutes dedicated to wrapping up and scheduling future appointments. At the end of our session, we’ll ask if you want to book another session.
And just so you know, there’s no pressure.
If you’re unsure, it’s totally fine to wait and decide later. Think of it like a hair appointment or a dentist visit—you can schedule on the spot, or you can hold off. We’d rather you be sure than feel obligated.
5. Good Fit Matters
Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. The most important factor in therapy success is the therapeutic relationship—not the specific type of therapy, not the years of training, but the connection between client and therapist. If one of us isn’t the right fit for you, that’s totally okay! Our priority is making sure you get the support you need, even if that means referring you to someone else.
6. Payment & Next Steps
Before we leave, we’ll confirm payment and any upcoming sessions. And then? You might find yourself saying, Wow, that wasn’t so bad! Maybe we’ll meet again next week, in two weeks, or maybe not at all. Either way, you’re in control of your therapy journey.
Starting therapy doesn’t have to be scary. Our goal is to make this process as comfortable and accessible as possible. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out at info@empowerfamilytherapy.com.
We’re happy to chat and help you figure out if therapy is right for you!
Thanks for stopping by,
The Empower Family Therapy Team