Starting Therapy

Starting therapy can be daunting, especially if you’ve not had counselling before. I’ve answered some of the common questions about starting therapy, and given some details about what might happen at each stage of the process.

First contact

If you like the sound of what you’ve read so far and would like to go ahead, the first step is to contact me by email. My email address is hello@renoatestherapy.co.uk. But what might you say in that initial email?

It’s useful, but not essential, to tell me a bit about what’s made you decide to look for support now. You don’t need to go into loads of detail, and only write what you feel comfortable sharing at this point.

You can also tell me if you want to work in person or online, and whether you’d prefer to come weekly or fortnightly. You might share days and times you’re available if you have restrictions about when you’d be able to come to therapy – though whether I’m able to see you then will depend on if I have availability. I work Tuesdays – Fridays.

Booking in

Once you’ve contacted me, we can arrange a time to meet. There are two options here – you can either:

  1. book a full 50 minute first session (charged at my standard session rate of £60)
  2. schedule a free 20 minute call to get a sense of what it might be like to work with me, before committing to a full session.

What happens in the initial call?

The introductory call can be done over the phone, or via video call. It’s an opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have, and get a feel for how it is to talk with me.

I might ask you to give a bit more details of what you want to work on in therapy, and I might ask if you have any previous experiences of therapy. I may also ask you want you’re looking for from me as a therapist.

I’m looking at whether I think your goals are aligned with what I can offer you in therapy, and if my way of working is a good fit for you.

First session

It’s normal to wonder what might happen in a first session. Especially if you’ve not had counselling before.

There’s no one-size-fits-all, and all first sessions are a bit different. So I’m not expecting you to do or say anything in particular, and there’s no ‘getting it wrong’. You don’t need to prepare anything in advance, but if you want to bring some notes, that’s absolutely fine.

I’ll usually ask you to tell me more about what’s brought you to therapy. I might also ask you some questions about your life experiences and relationships, and what you want to get out of our sessions together. I will usually also check in with you throughout about how it’s feeling to be here with me.

Don’t know what to talk about in therapy?

If you’re not sure what you want to talk about in therapy, that’s OK. Once again, there’s no right or wrong answer.

But if you’re looking for some inspiration or curious about what you might talk about in therapy, see how I work for some of the topics that I’ve worked with before.