How to Prepare for Your First Visit

When coming to your first appointment, the most important thing is to try and be relaxed. This is an opportunity for you to meet your therapist for the first time, so some nerves are completely normal; It’s most likely that after a few minutes you will feel at ease.

Remember, this is all about you and how you get on with your therapist. After this appointment, the choice is yours whether or not you want to continue with this therapist, so you really have very little to worry about and you are in control. The first appointment should last for about an hour. It may be recommended to you that you come back to continue the assessment before therapy commences. It is crucial that we have as much up to date information about you as possible, and so sometimes the assessment can take longer than 1 hour. Your therapist will offer guidance in this matter. Finally, your therapist will arrange a time for the next appointment with you and you can get started.

What to bring to your first appointment?

  • We require that if the concerns are about your child, then the parents come to the initial appointment so that we can get as much background information as possible, without adding any stress to the young person.
  • If you are the adult being treated, then feel free to bring your spouse, partner or friend with you, if you think this would be helpful to better understanding your concerns.
  • Where possible, please bring any previous assessments, evaluations, medical reports, medication and so on, so that you can review these with your therapist and we have as much available information as possible.
  • Be prepared that you may be asked quite a few relevant questions about your concerns so that we can formulate and help you to puzzle together what is happening.

WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK MY THERAPIST?

You should feel that you can ask your therapist whichever questions you would like, especially if they are on your mind. Therapy is a collaborative process, so if there are questions you have, ask away:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS;

  • What type of therapy do you specialize in?
  • How long have you been practicing?
  • Where did you carry out your training?
  • Am I able to see your certificates?
  • Can I see your practice license?
  • Do you provide evidence based practice?
  • Ask if the information you provide will be confidential
  • How frequently will we meet?
  • Will my appointments always be at the same time?
  • What if I want to change therapist?
  • How will we know if the work we are doing is helping?
  • What happens if I get worse throughout the therapy?
  • What hours is the clinic open?
  • Can I call you outside clinic hours?
  • Who should I call in an emergency? For example, if I’ve taken too much of my medication?

YOUR CLINICIAN IS LIKELY TO ASK QUESTIONS RELATING TO;

  • Your medical history and that of family members Neuro-developmental concerns (difficulties relating to your early childhood)
  • Your fears and phobias
  • The symptoms that you are having
  • Your therapy history- if you have one
  • Your goals and expectations
  • Ask you to complete some questionnaires
  • Your availability for appointment scheduling

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