So I have my business cards, website is coming alone nicely and now I am gearing up for my first client.  I got office space in Coral Springs, FL and I am ready to go! As I am going back to work after taking time off to have my children, I am reminded how important a first session is to myself and to my clients.  There is a debate that my fellow students/teachers had in graduate school as to when the first session started.  Does it start with the first contact?  Or when you sit across from your client?  Are you nervous, excited, happy or something else to be in the therapy room?  Therapy to me is such a cool experience and I feel blessed to be able to call myself a marriage and family therapist.  I believe the first session starts at the first contact whether it is on the phone or email.  There is a reason why you are seeking out a therapy and the most important part of therapy is feeling comfortable with your therapist so to me that is all the first session is about.

What do I mean about joining?  It is about sitting down with someone whether it is one person doing individual therapy or 2 or more people doing marital or family therapy and just talking.  I find that when people finally get to therapy there is a lot to say and it is my job to listen.  Sometimes we as therapists get caught up in doing too much in the first session and I find that if you just focus on listening people will come back.

What do you believe should be the most important aspect of the first session?