What To Expect in a First Counselling Session?
You’ve scheduled your first session, congratulations! Attending a first session can be an exciting, nerve wracking experience, and many folks question how they should be preparing for that first session. The purpose of this blog is to provide you with some information about what to expect when you schedule a first session with one of our therapists.
The Emotions
First, we want to acknowledge that it’s common for a first session to trigger an array of emotions from nervousness, anticipation and ambivalence. You might be questioning if you should even be doing this or feeling excitement about engaging in a new process. These are all common emotions during a first session, and we encourage and welcome all and any of these experiences. Take some deep breaths; we are here with you.
Welcome Email
Prior to your first session, you will receive a Welcome Email, detailing the Clinics processes. The email will contain Consent and Intake Forms; please complete these forms prior to your session.
Arriving: In-person Counselling Session
We are located on the 3rd floor of the Connect First building in Olds, AB. We do not have an admin onsite, so when you arrive at our office, please come in and make yourself comfortable. When you walk through the doors, there is a seating area to the left, and to the right is a kitchenette stocked with coffee, tea, water, juice, and of course, snacks. Please feel free to enjoy while you wait to be seen.
The washrooms are located down the hall and are locked. Please find the key fob in the top drawer next to the refrigerator. We ask that you kindly return the key fob upon your return to the office.
Please note that sometimes the door to our office is closed. When it is closed, it automatically locks. Please be assured that a therapist will come to the door and welcome you in. If your appointment is scheduled for after 5:30pm, your therapist will greet you at the front doors of the Connect First building, as the doors lock at this time.
Online Counselling Session
If you are joining us for the first time in an online session, we will be meeting through our online portal, Jane. You will find the link for our session in your emails; we recommend using Google Chrome to access Jane for the best video quality. When you click on the link you will automatically be taken to a virtual waiting room. While waiting, you have the option to check your camera and microphone, your therapist will join the session shortly. Technology challenges can happen. If either your therapist or you are having difficulties accessing the video, your therapist will call you to check in. Please be advised that they will be calling from a No Caller ID telephone number.
Online sessions offer the flexibility of receiving therapy from the comforts of your home. We invite you to create a space that feels comfortable, safe and secure to engage in therapy. Please bring to session items that offer the most comfort to you; a tea, blanket or even your cat. Your therapist will check in with you at the beginning of the online session to ensure that you are in a safe and secure space to proceed with the session. If you ever have any questions as to how your therapist maintains confidentiality during online sessions, please ask. We value confidentiality, wherever your session might be taking place.
The Counselling Session
Your therapist will come and greet you prior to the session starting, and take you to one of our offices. In the first session, you can expect to go through consent and confidentiality, and office processes such as our 48 hour cancellation policy and scheduling. This is an opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have about your therapist's process.
The goal of the first session is for your therapist to gain a better understanding of what you would like to gain from therapy. While some folks come into therapy with a specific goal in mind, others might come in not knowing exactly what their goal is. Either is okay, and you can work with your therapist to establish what changes you might like to see in your life as a result of engaging in the therapy process. You can expect that your
therapist will assess for any risk factors, for example substance use, suicidal/homicidal ideation and physical/emotional abuse. These questions are asked to help guide treatment plans, and to ensure your safety. The first session is equally an opportunity for you to get to know your therapist. Feeling comfortable, seen and heard by your therapist is critical for reaching your goals.
Children/Youth Counselling Session
For our clients under the age of 18, we kindly ask that a guardian (parent, caregiver) be in attendance for that first session. This gives us an opportunity to go through consent and confidentiality together, clarify expectations that we might have for your involvement in their therapy and answer any of your questions.
Counselling in Olds, Alberta
We know how this first session can feel, and invite you to talk about the big feelings that can arise. This is a step towards becoming more connected with yourself and others, a step towards greater self-awareness and a step towards healing. Welcome, and we look forward to meeting with you!
Counselling Offered at Williamson & Associates in Olds, Alberta
At Williamson & Associates we understand you may be struggling with more than one issue. To support you, our practice offers both in-person therapies in Olds, Alberta and online therapy in Alberta. Our skilled team specializes in child, teen counselling, marriage counselling, parenting support, family therapy, anxiety therapy, trauma and PTSD therapy, EMDR therapy and more in Olds, Alberta. Learn more by checking out our FAQs and Blog!
