What happens in a first session
Most first-session anxiety is about not knowing the shape of the hour. So here is the shape of the hour.
Before you arrive
A short intake form covers contact details, GP, medication and a brief outline of what brings you. It takes a few minutes and means the session itself is not spent on admin.
- Confidentiality and its limits explained first
- What brings you here, in your own words
- History only where it is relevant
- What you want different, described concretely
What you will not be asked to do
You will not be asked to describe trauma in detail in session one. You will not be hypnotised without discussion. You will not be pushed to cry, and nothing happens without being explained first.
What you leave with
An outline plan, a rough estimate of session numbers, one thing to try before next time, and a clear sense of whether this is the right fit. If it is not, you will be told and pointed elsewhere.
Common questions
Do I need to prepare anything?+
No. Arriving and talking is enough. Some people bring notes; that is optional.
What if I get upset?+
Entirely fine and entirely expected. Sessions are ended in a settled state, not mid-flood.
Can the first session be online?+
Yes, and many clients start that way before deciding whether to come in person.
Know the shape before you arrive
Free fifteen-minute call first, if you would rather test the water.