Being nervous about your first visit to a therapist’s office is expected. Even people whose been in therapy before may be nervous about talking to a new therapist for the first time. The first thing you will see when you enter our office is a quiet, comfortable waiting room. Since you will have already scheduled your appointment in a telephone or email conversation, your therapist is aware of your appointment time and will come to the waiting room to find you when that time arrives.

Of course, there will be paperwork to complete! Each therapist handles paperwork in their own manner. Some therapists may ask you to arrive a little early to begin filling out the necessary forms they leave for you in the waiting room; other therapists will wait to give you the forms at the beginning of your session, or they may send you documents electronically. While each therapist’s intake forms and paperwork may vary, in all cases you will need to bring your insurance card (unless you are paying privately) and your driver’s license or other photo ID. The paperwork will ask for your contact information, current medications, illnesses or conditions, history, and the name of a contact person in the case of an emergency.

Your first session is called an intake appointment and will involve discussing your reasons for seeking treatment and expectations related to therapy. You should feel free to ask your therapist any questions you have about treatment, including questions about the therapist’s training, orientation, and style. The intake session helps you to decide if this therapist is a good fit for you. If you choose to engage in therapy and the therapist believes their skill set will fit your needs, they will schedule your next appointment.

We hope this first visit will be the beginning of a therapeutic relationship that can help you achieve your goals so you may live a more fulfilling life.