New to Therapy? I got you.

People often spend a lot of time talking about what counseling is and how it works; and try to find answers to the question – does counseling even work? Counseling and therapy are essentially the same thing – it’s a process/journey that guides individuals toward awareness and promotes healthy coping and communication skills to build healthy lasting relationships with self and others. 

It takes a lot of courage for people to “get to counseling or therapy”, from researching a therapist, getting their contact, opening up your email, start typing Dear… Yes, I agree. It’s a lot. In fact, there many steps that occurs between booking your first session and actually going to your first session. It is normal for you to feel anxious and nervous about your first session. Heck, you are going into a room and speaking to a stranger – I feel you! Don’t worry, I got you. As counselors and therapists, we've spent years studying and practicing the art of helping people to express how they're feeling; this is our niche and what we do.If you're wondering whether or not you'll be able to open up to your counselor or therapist in your first session, take a moment to remind yourself that it's the counselor’s and therapist's responsibility to make you feel comfortable, ask the right questions and gently ease you into this process.

We often seek counseling and therapy when life feels chaotic and difficult so it can be challenging to know where exactly to begin. Having been to counseling and therapy myself, preparing some questions and talking points might help you feel more prepared and less pressure and anxious.

Here are some good starting questions:
📝What's one thing that motivated me to seek counseling/therapy?
📝What specific incidents have caused me stress recently?
📝What's one area in my life that I'd like to work on?

I hope you find these questions helpful and that it helps you feel more comfortable going into your first session.

The first step to increase self-awareness is to ask yourself – What is going on inside me–right now?

How does it all sound? Thinking about the next step? Ready to journey together and learn more about yourself? If you feel as though you would benefit from therapy, feel free to contact us by scheduling a call or email hello@mementcounselling.com