The first psychotherapy session: what to expect, costs and tips
My first appointment with a psychotherapist is coming up and suddenly I’m faced with lots of questions: What should I talk about? What questions will I be asked? Do I have to talk about my past? And what if I don’t even know where to start? Or thoughts like “It’s bound to be embarrassing to talk to a stranger about my problems” or “The psychologist will surely think I’m completely mad” spring to mind.
In this article, you’ll find out how an initial consultation works, what questions are typically asked, what costs you might incur, and what you should bear in mind.
First things first:
The first psychotherapy session is about getting to know one another, understanding your current situation and working out together what sort of support would be best for you. You don’t need to prepare anything, you don’t need to have the perfect answers, and you don’t have to talk about everything straight away.
It’s perfectly normal to feel a bit unsure before your first psychotherapy session. After all, you’ll be talking to someone you don’t yet know about topics that may be very personal. Perhaps you’re also feeling nervous because you don’t know how an initial psychotherapy session works? Maybe you think psychological counselling is only for those who can no longer cope with everyday life at all or who are seriously mentally unwell. But that’s a misconception!
The initial psychotherapy or counselling session can help you get to know yourself better, reflect on your life and discover new ways to improve your mental health. In this article, you’ll find out what to expect during the initial session.
What happens during the initial consultation in psychotherapy?
The initial consultation in psychotherapy is an opportunity for you and a psychotherapist to get to know one another. You’re free to ask any questions that are on your mind. After all, you want to find out whether you can envisage long-term support on your journey towards mental resilience. Because, let’s be honest, alongside all the professionalism and expertise, the truly important foundation for a successful working relationship is a relationship of trust between you and your therapist.
So the initial consultation isn’t just for your psychotherapist to get to know you. You, too, are free to ask questions and find out whether the service on offer meets your needs.
Online psychological counselling services now complement traditional counselling and psychotherapy services offered in face-to-face practices. Through online psychological counselling, you work on your personal development and find relief from problems that are weighing you down in everyday life. Unlike psychotherapy, no diagnosis is made in psychological counselling.
Would you like to find out more about how online therapy differs from online counselling? Find out what to expect from online counselling here.
What happens during the initial consultation in psychotherapy?
An initial psychotherapy session does not follow a rigid structure. How the session is structured depends, amongst other things, on your concerns and the therapist’s approach. It often comprises four phases.
Getting to know each other and building trust
Talking about your current situation
Discussing expectations and goals
Agreeing on the next steps
How long does a psychological counselling session last?
An initial psychotherapy session often lasts around 50 minutes. However, the actual duration depends on the practice, the type of session and the specific service offered.
Initial consultations in psychological counselling can also be shorter. At Instahelp, for example, the first session lasts 30 minutes. During this time, you’ll get to know your psychologist, discuss your concerns and, together with them, consider what further support might look like.
How much does an initial psychotherapy session cost?
The cost of an initial consultation depends on where you receive psychotherapy, whether it is covered by health insurance or is a private service, and what regulations apply in your country.
Prices for psychological counselling usually vary from therapist to therapist. A standard face-to-face therapy session costs on average between €70 and €150 per session. However, at Instahelp, the pricing is completely transparent. No matter which psychologist you choose, the cost is always the same: between €49 and €89, depending on your tariff. This allows you to tailor the pricing flexibly to your individual situation and focus fully on your mental health.
After the initial consultation, you decide for yourself how often and for how long you want to communicate with your psychologist. Would you like to meet regularly once a week, or is one session a month enough for you? Whatever you decide, the important thing is that you feel comfortable with it and that it suits your current situation. So, ultimately, you play a part in determining how much the psychological counselling will cost. All you need, apart from that, is a healthy dose of curiosity and a sense of anticipation about embracing new perspectives in your life.
What happens during a session with a psychologist?
Forget the idea of a rigid examination scenario. You don’t really need to do any preparation yourself. Of course, it’s perfectly normal to feel nervous before your first appointment. Perhaps you’ve got a few misconceptions floating around in your head. But look forward to it, because our psychologists, with their years of experience, are here to help you and show you new perspectives on your journey towards a better life.
How can I prepare for the initial consultation?
No special preparation is required for your first psychotherapy session. However, if you’d like, you can give it some thought beforehand to help you get started. Here are a few tips for your first psychotherapy session:
Leave the conversation to the professional: you don’t need to have all the answers ready. Your therapist will guide the conversation and you can talk about how you’re feeling.
Take time to settle in: In online counselling, it’s important that you feel comfortable. Create a safe space for yourself where you can be open.
Reflect afterwards: After the session, take 10 or 15 minutes to reflect on the experience.
Take notes: Have a pen and paper to hand to jot down any important thoughts or insights.
Minimise distractions: Try to minimise distractions and engage fully with the session.
Leave your preconceptions behind: Go into the conversation without any preconceptions and be prepared to engage with the experience in a completely non-judgemental way.
Overall, the initial consultation is an important step on the path to mental health. It gives you the opportunity to get to know your therapist, build trust and lay the foundations for successful therapy. Be open and honest to get the most out of this important experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No matter which psychologist you choose on Instahelp, the cost is always the same. Depending on the package, the price ranges from €49 to €89.
Our services include online psychological counselling and online psychological therapy provided by clinical psychologists and psychological psychotherapists. Online psychological counselling is aimed at mentally healthy people who are seeking support in challenging life situations. Online psychological therapy or psychotherapy is necessary where a mental health condition or impairment is present. All services are provided by suitably trained and legally authorised professionals in accordance with the Psychologists Act 2013 (Federal Law Gazette I No. 182/2013) and the Psychotherapy Act (Federal Law Gazette No. 361/1990).
Find out more about this distinction here: Therapy vs. online counselling: what exactly is the difference?
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