People who consider psychotherapy usually have questions about the process. They also accept as true certain myths about therapy. The following article offers a brief overview of what to expect when starting therapy and suggests a few starting therapy tips. We also take the opportunity to dispel a few myths and fears about therapy.
Starting Therapy Tips
If this is your first experience with therapy, you may feel intimidated at first. Finding the right therapist requires research into the mental health professional’s background and some self-reflection on what your expectations are. Here are three starting therapy tips:
- Shop around. Interview several therapists, especially since many give free initial consultations.
- Trust your instincts when it comes to who seems a good fit as a therapist for you.
- Remember, if you are not comfortable with your chosen therapist, you can quit and find another one.
What to Expect When Starting Therapy
Like any new endeavor, clients new to the process may be a bit hesitant. Preparing for therapy helps alleviate the uncertainty. Consider this your first therapy session guide.
- The first session will include introductions plus some information collection about your personal and family history.
- You can also come with questions about the therapist’s education, experience, and certifications.
- The therapist will ask you to share the mental health issues that brought you to therapy.
- The therapist will want to discuss setting therapy expectations and goals, so it may help to have notes on your goal ideas.
- The therapist will explain session scheduling, fees, and payment.
Both you and the therapist will ask and answer questions. Preparing for therapy should include any questions you have about how therapy works and the general process. Remember, the first session will be a time to get comfortable with the process as well as with the therapist’s style and personality. If you sense that the therapist or the practice does not fit your expectations, do not hesitate to go elsewhere.
Preparing for Therapy
Bear in mind that you can expect emotions to rise during your sessions as the therapist delves into specifics related to your personal history, your mental health challenges, and your healing goals. Prepare yourself emotionally; prepare your thoughts and feelings ahead of time.
In addition, it may be advisable to create a checklist of the topics you want to cover during your therapy sessions. Make notes about how you feel on session day compared to last week. Consider topics such as anger management, problems with relaxation, stress management techniques, alcohol and substance abuse, and any significant life developments since your last session.
Therapy Myths Debunked
Some myths may seem absurd or foolish in today’s environment. The problem is that believing in myths about therapy may keep some people from getting the help they need, delaying the start of a journey for personal growth and emotional healing. So, let us get started on our list of a few therapy myths debunked.
Myth #1: Only Crazy People See Therapists
This myth is false, at least in today’s world. In the past, people who experienced serious traumatic events were typical patients for therapists. Since 2000, however, average citizens have begun to popularize therapy. That is the result of the stressful, anxiety-inducing, fast-moving society we now live in, and which overwhelms the best of us at times.
Therapists study and understand human behavior and emotions so they can assist individuals in resolving mental health issues before self-harm and other damage erupts.
Myth #2: Therapy Is Too Expensive
This myth is only partially true. Private therapy sessions are expensive, but not all therapists charge the same fee rates. Some therapists charge on a sliding scale, which means the therapist charges a fee based on the client’s income. In addition, changes in federal laws since 2010 (Mental Health Parity Law) and certain state laws required insurance companies to cover some mental health problems on the same basis as other physical illnesses. These changes have made therapy more affordable for people in the lower-income levels.
Myth #3: Therapy will make getting a job or applying for a loan more difficult.
This myth is false. The law requires therapists to treat sessions with the utmost confidence. This means the therapist cannot talk to anyone about the information shared during a client’s sessions. Therefore, no one will know about the therapy sessions. Of course, the only people who can tell anyone about the topics discussed during therapy sessions are the clients themselves. So, there is that possibility.
Myth #4: Therapy takes years to make any headway with mental health issues. In fact, it does not work.
This myth is false. The reality is that each client decides how long they will stay in therapy. Short-term therapy sessions take place over 8-20 sessions. Most sessions are once a week. The sessions deal with specific problems or goals.
Longer-term sessions may last from a few months to a year or longer. These longer sessions focus on personality traits and family history, or traumatic events and how they affect whatever emotional and behavioral changes the client wants to make. Again, however, the client decides how long to stay in therapy in these cases, too.
Myth #5: Therapy will cure you.
This statement is not true. Therapy does not cure a person. The reality is that the client must be willing to put in the work in terms of self-care, self-examination, and the time it takes to overcome whatever mental health issues brought them to therapy in the first place. Therapy provides the opportunity and professional insights. The obligation to work is on the client.
Find the Therapist That Fits Your Style
Therapists are not all the same. Therapies are not one-size-fits-all. Those two concepts are important to grasp. Therapists follow different models, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), while others practice psychotherapy or talk therapy. Some therapists practice faith-based or spiritual theory for those who request it. Other therapists style themselves as Christian counselors using Bible passages to keep clients grounded in the trust in God’s plan.
The point is that when researching the therapist that is a good fit for you, take the time to reflect on what you need, what makes you comfortable, and the goals that you want to accomplish.
Refinery Counseling Services, LLC (RCS) is a woman-minority-veteran-owned private practice in Georgia. The firm’s therapists practice talk therapy and, for those who request it, faith-based therapy. The firm’s stated mission is to empower every client to grow to their potential and accomplish their goals in mental health healing.
Our therapists commit to compassionate care, community engagement to empower clients, and cultural competence. We strive to provide a safe environment for sharing sensitive personal information. Our therapists are licensed therapists with years of experience as clinical mental health professionals.
RCS provides a wide range of therapy sessions, such as:
- Individual psychotherapy sessions that help heal past traumas, navigate life’s challenges, and acquire coping skills
- Group psychotherapy sessions that consist of small groups of participants who meet to share their experiences in a specific mental health area
- Family therapy strives to bring harmony to family issues
- Child and adolescent therapy works to heal childhood traumas and anxiety
- Couples therapy that works to sort out relationship issues
- Grief counseling that provides support for loss from death, divorce, and other traumatic events
- Suicide survivor support
- Anxiety therapy for stress
- Depression therapy resulting from chronic pain, debilitating or traumatic injury, and other causes
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder therapy (popularly referred to as PTSD)
- Veteran post-service mental health issues, including re-entry into civilian life, and combat and sexual trauma
We tailor psychotherapy treatment plans to everyone’s needs and desired goals.
Step Into Your Future
If you feel ready to start your therapy journey, please contact us today. A few simple steps start the process, so schedule a free initial consultation with one of our experienced counselors. You can reach out to us by phone, email, or by submitting a request form on our website.
In the introductory session, your therapist will assess your current situation, ask a few questions about your family and mental health history, and discuss your needs and goals for healing your emotional and mental health.
Your therapist will partner with you to decide which of our services and treatment options are best to design a treatment plan that meets your needs and goals. You will have an opportunity to ask questions about the counselor’s education, certifications, and professional experience. We also want you to feel comfortable with the safe space we provide for sharing your sensitive thoughts and feelings.
To start your mental health journey, we invite you to read our May 22, 2025, article entitled “Therapy Is Not Just for Crises: 5 Myths About Mental Health Support.” You can also find other articles of interest on our website’s Refined by Grace blog.
We look forward to hearing from you soon. Allow us to show you how Refinery Counseling Services can help you grow and heal along your mental health journey.
