Anxiety about starting therapy? What to expect from your first session at Indiana Counseling and Resilience Center
The decision to seek support from a mental health professional can often feel intense or overwhelming. With a variety of good and bad portrayals of therapists from popular television shows and films, it can be difficult to know what to expect for your first appointment. These feelings of anxiety often lead to hesitation in scheduling your first appointment or skipping out on therapy altogether.
At Indiana Counseling and Resilience Center, we want you to feel as comfortable as possible as you begin your therapy journey. While feelings of anxiety, fear, and nerves when starting therapy are normal and valid, when you walk through our doors, we hope you will feel safe and supported every step of the way!
What to expect at your first visit
After parking your car and entering the building, you will make your way down to our office suite. When you first arrive at ICRC, you will enter our cozy waiting area. Our friendly office manager, Kim, might greet you and offer you a beverage, but if she is not available, you can help yourself to a coffee or hot chocolate!
At your appointment time, your therapist will come to the lobby to meet you and greet you. They will escort you to their private office, where you will typically always come for your sessions. Their office offers a soft, comfortable couch, a soft blanket, and pillows! You are welcome to use the pillows and blankets as you wish; our goal is for you to feel as relaxed and safe as possible, and we hope you will enjoy the office and its furnishings.
In your first session, your therapist will provide information about confidentiality and any logistical information, including office policies. You are welcome to ask any questions about your therapist, the office, etc.
Your therapist will then spend time getting to know you! They will already have reviewed your intake questionnaire, and they will ask thoughtful questions to gain a fuller understanding of your goals and objectives for therapy. Your therapist will work with you to determine the most appropriate course of action for your therapy, such as frequency of treatment, the potential of bringing a partner in for a session, etc. After establishing your treatment plan and discussing any other relevant information, your therapist will help you schedule your next session!
We are here for you!
We want you to have the best experience at Indiana Counseling and Resilience Center, and we want you to know that your highly trained therapist is eager to support you. Indiana Counseling and Resilience Center is a welcoming, affirming space, and we proudly serve clients from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. You matter, and you are welcome at Indiana Counseling and Resilience Center! We hope this guide to your first session helps alleviate some stress and anxiety about beginning your therapy journey with us. We can’t wait to meet you.
Ready to Begin Therapy in Indianapolis, IN?
If you find that you need additional support, we’re ready to help you! At Indiana CRC, we can work with you to achieve your goals in order to regain fulfillment in your life. We offer our services both in-person and online in the state of Indiana. For more about us check out our FAQs!
We provide therapy for anxiety, trauma, EMDR, couples counseling and many other areas of need. Follow these three simple steps to get started:
Contact us to schedule an appointment for counseling.
Begin meeting with one of our skilled therapists
Start living the life you want!
