A How To Guide to Scheduling Your First Therapy Session

The decision to begin therapy can be a huge step for many. Now that you have decided that you want to start therapy, where do you even begin? This can feel overwhelming--with so many names, specialties, degrees, and locations, choosing the best therapist for you may seem impossible. If this is how you’re feeling, follow this guide to help you get started.

Four Steps to Scheduling Your First Therapy Session:

Make a List of Your Preferences for Therapy
The best place to start is with yourself. Take a moment to think about any preferences you have for therapy. Are there certain days or times that would work best? Are you looking for a specific treatment modality, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior therapy? Do you prefer for your therapist to specialize in a certain area, such as anxiety, depression, or anger management? Do you prefer for your therapist to be a male or a female? What do you want in a therapist? Is there a certain location that you prefer, such as close to work or home? Do you need someone who is in-network with insurance or are you comfortable with out-of-network? What other questions do you have? Make a list of these preferences and questions and keep them on hand as you begin to reach out.
Start the Search for a Therapist
Now that you have a guide in mind, it’s time to get to work! If you have any names of therapists that have been recommended for you, start to contact these individuals. If not, you can hop onto Google and search for therapists in your area, using terms like “therapists in White Plains, NY”. You can also go onto Psychology Today.
As a cautionary note: this is where the process can begin to feel a bit overwhelming. These search results will likely populate hundreds of wonderful, qualified clinicians, causing the decision-making process to be that much more difficult. To help manage the information overload, start with just a few clinicians that catch your eye and reach out to them. Depending on the time of day and whether the clinician has a liaison, you may be able to directly connect with them or you may leave a voicemail or send an email.
Find Time to Talk with the Therapist or Liaison
Once you get in touch with someone, now is the time to go down your list of preferences and questions! It is totally normal to feel nervous during this first interaction, but make sure you get all of your important questions asked. Remember, you’re working to find the therapist that is best for you, so take your time to get to learn who you feel the most comfortable working with.
Schedule Your Initial Therapy Session!
By this step, you have hopefully narrowed down the list and found a therapist. Now is the time to schedule your session! Once the session is scheduled, be sure to complete any intake paperwork that may be sent to you prior to your session and confirm the location of the practice. On the day of your first session, give yourself ample time to arrive in order to avoid the added stress of running late.

The Most Important Part of Therapy…

While it can be easy to get lost in the commotion of degrees, experience, speciality, or treatment modality, don’t forget the most important component to a successful therapeutic experience--the relationship. While the other factors can play a role, little progress will be made if you don’t develop a comfortable, trusting relationship with your therapist. While like any relationship, this bond can take some time to develop, make sure that you are beginning with someone that you feel comfortable sharing with. Therapy is a deep and vulnerable process, and it is absolutely essential to find someone that you feel comfortable with.

Hudson Therapy is a Westchester county counseling practice located in White Plains, NY. Our team of therapists provide individual therapy for children, as well as teens and adults.