New to therapy?
What to expect when you start therapy at Aspire Wellness Center – The Intake Session
Kim Winship LCSW-C
“You don’t have to see the whole staircase; you just need to take the first step” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Welcome to Aspire Wellness Center! We know that starting therapy can be nerve-wracking, especially if this is your first time trying counseling. To take some of the unknown out of the experience, we have written about what you can expect from your first two sessions with Aspire.
Intake
The morning of your intake, you will receive an email with a link (unless you have requested text only). The email will ask you to click on that link a few minutes prior to your appointment so that you know it is working properly. Please allow 60 minutes for your session. Please be in a private setting, free from distractions, and with good connectivity. Please note, you will not be able to complete your appointment if you are driving when logging on.
The licensed therapist who will conduct your intake will invite you into the session. They will introduce themselves, explain the limits of confidentiality, advise you on what to expect during the intake, and do their best to ease any discomfort you may have throughout the intake process. (NOTE: Most people are nervous before they begin the intake. And though the process may stir up unpleasant feelings (memories of loss or pain), most people report that they were not as uncomfortable as they anticipated. In fact, many people report the process to be therapeutic and helpful as a beginning step on their mental health journey).
You will be asked to answer a standard list of 50+ questions which will be asked in a conversational style and without judgement. Your intake therapist is required to ask all of the listed questions. You are invited to answer as many, or as few, as you feel comfortable answering. Many can be answered with “yes/no,” “pass,” or short answers. There are no trick questions or incorrect answers. Your intake therapist will guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have along the way.
Many people are concerned about having to share sensitive information, such as their history of trauma, with someone they have just met. You will be fully informed of the requirements of mandated reporting prior to being asked any questions about trauma. No one will be forced to share this information if they are not ready. If you do choose to share information about trauma during your intake, you will be asked to keep that information limited to yes/no/pass answers with one follow up question if you provide a “yes” answer, which is “At what age did that occur?” No further details will need to be shared and no reports to the authorities will be made, unless you choose to provide details beyond what is requested.
After the list of questions, there will be a discussion regarding what is bringing you to Aspire. This discussion will review current symptoms (sleep, appetite, thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and how they are impacting your life and relationships), as well as any relevant previous symptoms or situations leading up to this point.
You will be invited to share any preferences you may have in the type of provider you would like, which will help the intake therapist coordinate with our scheduling team to find available provider/s that best meet your needs and desires (based on availability, preferences, and insurance).
You will then be advised about the next steps: scheduling, no show policies, when to expect a response and how to reach someone with questions or concerns. You will likely be contacted usually within 24 hours of the intake to schedule your first appt with your provider/s (talk therapist, medication provider, or both). You can then look forward to meeting the person or people who will begin to help you heal.
