How to Prepare for Your First Counseling Session

So you finally decided to take a leap and schedule a counseling session. Good for you! It often takes courage to reach out for counseling support and we look forward to journeying with you. Whether it’s your first time in counseling or you have done this before, you may have been placed on a waiting list. It may not be surprising that more people than ever before have been seeking counseling support over the past few years. In fact, most counseling practices have been navigating high demand and waiting lists. While this is not the response you desired and waiting can be challenging, this time does not have to be in vain. Whether your first appointment is one week or several weeks away, you can already begin to prepare and set yourself up for success!

In this article we provide some tips about how you can prepare for your first counseling session. Our team looks forward to meeting you soon!

Why are you coming to therapy?

Inevitably some of the first questions your counselor will ask you include, Why are you here today? What are your goals for therapy? These questions might seem daunting or overwhelming but consider the end goal. How would you like to feel, think, act, and change after working with a therapist? The more specific your answers are to these important questions, the better. Thinking about and writing these goals down doesn’t mean that your goals won’t change as you work with your therapist, but having a place to start will give you both a clear direction. Another question to ponder while you think about your goals is What is preventing you from reaching your goals in your circumstance and life right now? Some examples could be people, relationships, work, previous trauma, marriage difficulties, etc. As you prepare for your first counseling session, spend some time thinking about these questions in a relaxed way–as you sip your favorite tea, listen to music, or sit in silence. Of course we also encourage you to explore these questions in prayer (more about prayer below) and jot down your thoughts. It can be helpful to designate a specific notebook for therapy, so you can keep everything in one place.

Priority Lists!

When thinking about what you would like to talk about in your sessions, it might feel like there is a tornado of topics and you have no idea where to begin. Try writing a list with the answers to the following questions: What challenges are you facing right now? How are they impacting your work and relationships? What changes have you experienced within the last 6 months to a year? Are you struggling with your family situation or significant events? Now sit back and look at everything you listed. What do you think is the most pressing? Are there one or two issues that seem to summarize all the others? Try ranking the topics on your list—this may give you a clearer idea of where to begin with your counselor.

Take it to Prayer

As you prepare for your first counseling session, remember that the Lord wants to be your strength. Approach Him in prayer and cast all your worries upon Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:17). A particular saint that might be of comfort and solace is St. Dymphna. She is the patroness of those who suffer with mental and nervous disorders. Saint Dymphna is someone we can turn to when experiencing worry, fear, and anxiety. Saint Dymphna can be invoked for help with a range of mental issues, from daily stress to the more serious anxiety disorders. During time of waiting, we lean not on our own will and understanding but we are stretched to have greater trust in the will of the Holy Spirit.

Below is a prayer to St. Dymphna and to the Holy Spirit by Cardinal Mercier.

A Prayer to St. Dymphna

Good Saint Dymphna, great wonder-worker in every affliction of mind and body, I humbly implore your powerful intercession with Jesus through Mary, the Health of the Sick, in my present need. (Mention it.) Saint Dymphna, martyr of purity, patroness of those who suffer with nervous and mental afflictions, beloved child of Jesus and Mary, pray to Them for me and obtain my request.

(Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be.)

Saint Dymphna, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us.

A Prayer to the Holy Spirit (by Cardinal Mercier)

O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You.
Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me.
Tell me what I should do; give me Your orders.
I promise to submit myself to all that You desire of me
and to accept all that You permit to happen to me.
Let me only know Your Will.