You have taken the first step—you made a counseling appointment. You might have been a little nervous, or felt a little strange, but you did it. That’s what matters. Now you might be wondering what to expect. You might be concerned about what you need to do to prepare for that first appointment. At Enteave, we want to make sure your first visit is as successful as possible, so we have come up with a few tips to help:
1.) Get to Know the Technology - Right now, due to COVID, all appointments are being done online. It is helpful if you have a chance to test out any technology before the start of your session. Make sure you have a working device and microphone. Check the quality of your internet connection to help ensure things run as smoothly as possible. If you have any questions regarding our HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform, don’t hesitate to ask. We would love to assist you.
2.) Complete the Intake - We understand paperwork is not very exciting but it is important. Completing the intake forms at least 24 hours before your visit gives the therapist adequate time to review them. In this case, we like doing homework! Intake forms help the therapist to better understand the issues you are coming to therapy for and make the first session more productive. We don’t want to waste your time. We want to be able to start helping you right away.
3.) Remind Yourself it is OK to Be Nervous - Nerves are normal and healthy. You are about to take some important steps towards changing your life for the better. It is ok to be scared, uncertain, and anxious. In fact, we expect it. Most therapists have been in therapy themselves, so they know how it feels the first time they meet with a new provider.
4.) Understand You are Entering a Judgement-Free Zone - Therapy is a safe space. Your therapist will not judge you. This is your time to open up and be honest, so we can help.
5.) Use an Anchor Object - If you are nervous going into your first telehealth session, it can be helpful to use an anchor object—something else to look at it. It can be anything you find calming—a photo, piece of art, vase of flowers, whatever you wish. You don’t have to make eye contact with the therapist during your teletherapy sessions. It is ok to look away. We understand you are sharing some difficult things.
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If you are looking to feel better, the counselors at Enteave Counseling are here for you, we are accepting new clients and have flexible hours available.