Getting Started with Counselling (NDIS & Private) – Perth
Maybe you’re new to therapy, maybe this isn’t your first rodeo. Either way, engaging with a new counsellor can feel uncertain and overwhelming.
This page is here to give you a simple breakdown of what to expect when you book your first appointment with me.
Before Your First Session
As the way we build relationships is unique, there’s no correct way to approach your first therapy session. You can come in and say that you have no idea where to start, and that’s totally fine.
But if you’re like me and you like to prepare, it may help to think about these questions:
What are you struggling with right now?
What do you want support with?
What do you want to do or achieve in your future?
Booking Your First Session
This step is the easiest, all you have to do is head to the online booking system and follow the steps there.
What Happens in the First Session
Our first session is usually broken up into 3 distinct parts.
First: Introduction and House Keeping
We’ll always start our first session by talking about my legal requirements as your counsellor. This means we’ll talk about confidentiality, how your information is stored, and any other information that you need to know about our counselling relationship.
Next: The “Tell me about yourself” part
From there, we’ll move into the session itself, where we’ll talk about:
- What’s brought you to counselling
- Your current challenges
- Your mental health experiences
- What positive change you’d like to see in your life
Remember: The more information you share with me, the more personalised your experience will be. But you are under no obligation to share anything that you know is triggering to your mental health.
Last: Goal Setting
Based on what we talk about, we will usually set goals in the first sessions together. Goals give us structure and give us way points to move towards. But, goals are never static and will always change to fit your current situation.
Ongoing Sessions
After your first session, you have a few options to consider.
You can:
- Book session-by-session
- Set a regular time (most people like to catch up once every 3 – 4 weeks)
- Adjust frequency depending on what you need
Remember, you can make any adjustments to your bookings on the online portal.
NDIS Clients – What to Expect
If you’re accessing counselling using NDIS:
We’ll talk about:
- Your plan type (self-managed or plan-managed)
- How invoicing will work
- Any documentation needed
The goal is to keep this process as simple and low-stress as possible.
A Note on Fit
Not every counsellor is the right fit, and that’s ok. You are always allowed to ask me questions and change your mind.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re feel ready to start your counselling journey, click here to book online.