Welcome to therapy with Kay at CenterPoint Counseling Center!
It is very possible that you have never been to a therapy appointment before. Perhaps you might be someone who has been to therapy for sessions in the past but want a therapist now. It is a difficult thing to choose whether to come to a therapist at all or to come to a “new to you” therapist. I want to acknowledge the feelings you may have in coming here, and it may be a mixed bag of anxiety, trepidation, excitement, curiosity or hope. Whatever you are feeling, it is welcome here.
For my clients, in the first few sessions, I am trying to build a relationship with you as well as you with me. I hope you feel the office comfortable and relaxed. I know I am going to write down information about you I do not want to forget. I want to capture your words if I can because they are meaningful. If you wish to know what I am writing, please ask. Perhaps I will be capturing your facial and body expressions, your reactions to things, and the insights you have. It is all part of you. I want to be aware of shifts and changes, growth patterns, times of resilience as each person speaks a different emotional or thought centered language to me. I want to become aware of your whole self in a mindful way.
I am aware that trust does not come quickly for people, and I do not expect that. I just want to establish a warm and kind rapport in these first number of sessions (and beyond). Trust will come as it will. We cannot control it. Especially if we have experienced trauma and have deep wounds. I believe trust will come when it is meant to be. And it is usually an Ah-ha experience on the part of the client, not me. You will recognize it for yourself.
If a client has a little anxiety during the first few sessions, it is normal. So do not be surprised by it. Other people might come in relaxed and leave anxious. Each person is unique, and I acknowledge that. Believe me when I say that clinicians always ask themselves if there is something we could have done to make a session better for the client. We do! If a client comes in and their need is beyond the scope of my practice or if I feel we are not a good fit, I refer to another staff member (or an outside therapist) who can help in a unique way with gifts I do not possess. I am happy to refer to someone else if they can be of better help. The whole point is that you get the care you need from the right person! That matters more to me than anything else!
Finally, the reason I know what it is like to have a first session is not just because I am a therapist or because of my training. It is because before I even applied to graduate school to get my MSW degree, I was a client myself. I went to my own therapist to work on my own issues. I did like many of you: worked on my complicated grief and traumatic loss, specific traumas, spiritual upheaval, loss of trust and finding a new way of spiritual growth, family of origin issues and the like. These were the things I worked on and many other issues that my own clients work on today. What is especially noticeable is that these are the things that many of us deal with regularly in life.
During my later years working in Hospice, I had the opportunity to train in multiple modalities: EMDR, Spiritual Direction, and Imago Relationship Therapy for Couples. And these are only three of the things I bring to my clients in practice now. I have trained in several modalities since that time to stay updated and deepen my practice. I offer all of this to you.
Even as a therapist, I go back as needed to do my own work. It is especially important to do our own work as we encourage our clients to do. I go for a “tune up” as needed. I share this because I am not afraid of bringing therapy out of hiding. It is a good place to sort out our journey, check in and make sure we are on the path we feel directed to take.
I am just a person who sought healing. I found what I needed and now try to bring healing and hope to others to become more whole, hopeful, and find a sense of relaxed joyfulness in their lives.
Perhaps I could help you through your First Session and beyond. Once you get started, it’s easier to come back. And again, I will do what I can to help you become comfortable. Just start by taking a deep breath and all will fall into place as you call to make your first appointment.
Peace and good to you all!
Kay