Your First Session with a Therapist: What to Expect

The first session is a conversation, not an exam or a test of your endurance. You don't have to be composed, articulate things smoothly, or know whether you're "feeling the right way." A good therapist isn't waiting for a perfect client — they're waiting for a real person who came in with something heavy.

Below is how the first meeting usually goes, what you might be asked, and what you can comfortably keep to yourself.

What happens in the first few minutes