What can you expect from counseling?

When you choose to enter counseling, the first session standardly involves intake information. The therapist will ask background information about your personal history such as age, marital status, previous counseling experience, etc. It is important to provide information about your current medication use. Then you will be asked about the symptoms for which you have sought help. It is important to be open and honest so that the counselor can prepare a plan to acquire solutions. If insurance is involved, the counselor must make a diagnosis. Sessions are confidential.

It will need to be determined if individual, couple or family counseling is necessary. We can often achieve some relief of current distress in the first session, but subsequent sessions are more likely to provide relief. However, the main purpose of the first session is for the therapist to develop a healthy interpersonal relationship with the client so that the clients will feel safe and comfortable throughout the counseling process.

If you can identify your goals for counseling, research suggests that you are likely to achieve them. Your commitment to the counseling process is a key factor in counseling success.

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