What Can I Expect From Therapy?

Written By: Margo Ayoub, MSW, RSW

​Whether you’ve made a New Year’s Resolution to focus on your wellbeing, or simply feel like now is the right time, you may be contemplating speaking with a therapist. You might have come to this decision easily, or maybe it’s something you have contemplated for a long time. Whatever the reason, sometimes the jump from deciding to speak to someone to scheduling your first appointment can be daunting. You may ask yourself: what is the therapist going to ask me to do? How much should I share about myself? How can I trust a total stranger? What if they judge me? 

Perhaps you are interested in brief counselling (a few sessions to work on goal setting, problem solving, etc.) or are seeking ongoing psychotherapy (in-depth exploration of experiences and relationships). In either case, the first session is typically set up so that you and your therapist can discuss your goals for therapy, and begin to form a therapeutic relationship. The truth is, just as with any other relationship, sometimes you will click with your therapist, and sometimes you won’t. You ultimately have the choice whether to continue meeting with the same therapist, or to look for another therapist who you feel is a better fit.

During one of your initial sessions your therapist might ask you to complete screening tools with you to get a baseline measure for symptoms related to depression, anxiety, burnout, or other issues. These are not typically used as diagnostic tools, but are meant to help you and your therapist better understand your presenting symptoms, and how they impact your everyday life. 

As you and your therapist strengthen your rapport, you may begin to feel ready to share things that you have long held close, things that are deeply personal to you. This happens at different times and in different ways depending on you and your therapist. Trust is something that builds with time, and that’s okay. Your therapist is there to provide support in the way that you need it in that moment, and that can change based on your circumstances, and level of comfort.
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Though each therapist comes with different education and experience, they generally share these things in common: curiosity and compassion. Curiosity drives a therapist to learn more about their client’s experiences without passing judgement. Therapists are trained to understand that the circumstances that bring people to seek therapy are often rooted in things that curiosity can bring to light. Compassion is a lens through which a therapist can explore their client’s concerns with kindness, rather than criticism. 

A final thing to consider is that therapy in 2022 looks a lot different than it did even a few years ago. if you choose to attend sessions in person, your therapist will likely be wearing a protective mask, and there may be a plexi-glass barrier place between you. Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, alternative forms of therapy have gained popularity, including phone, virtual and walk-and-talk sessions. The good news is, you have many options to choose from these days, which can be helpful in feeling more comfortable as you take this step.
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Therapy is not always easy, though it can lead to finding your own sense of curiosity, self-discovery, self-compassion, and healing, which is truly the ultimate gift. If you are thinking about seeing a therapist, do not hesitate to contact Kelly Mental Health and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.