What Actually Happens in Your First Therapy Session?
Taken from a blog on India based Lyfsmile.com written by Yakshi in April 2026. This is an excellent overview of a typical session, and fits what will happen when we meet for the first time. Some things are universal it seems.
"You've finally made the decision. You've done the research, found a therapist, and booked the appointment. Now comes the part nobody really prepares you for — the anxious hours before your first therapy session, wondering what on earth is actually going to happen. Will you be made to lie on a couch? Will they immediately dig into your childhood? Will you cry? Will you even know what to say?
These are completely valid questions. The good news is that a first therapy session is far less daunting than most people expect. This guide walks you through everything — from busting common myths, to what happens minute by minute, to how to know if your therapist is truly the right fit for you."
In an excellent article in Counselling Directory, Abigail Holman (click to see full article) discusses the advantages and disadvantages of In person or Online Counselling. Click button for link to full article at the bottom.
Why you might choose face-to-face counselling:
1. A change of environment:
Stepping out of your usual environment and into a neutral, private space can be therapeutic in itself. Some clients find that physically leaving their home or workplace allows them to mentally separate from daily stressors, making it easier to focus on the session.
2. Leaving the session behind:
There’s something about walking out of a counselling room and closing the door behind you that can symbolise leaving your concerns in the room until your next session. This physical separation can help some people manage their emotions and feel less burdened by their issues between sessions.
3. Privacy concerns:
Not everyone has a private space at home where they can speak freely without the fear of being overheard. Face-to-face counselling ensures complete privacy, which is crucial for those who live with others and cannot find a secure, confidential space.
4. Building relationships in person:
Human connection is often strongest in person. Some people find it easier to build a rapport with their therapist when they can pick up on body language, facial expressions, and other non-verbal cues that are sometimes lost in remote communication.
Why you might not choose face-to-face counselling:
1. Time, parking and commute:
Commuting to and from a counselling session requires time. If your schedule is already packed or if the location is not easily accessible, this added time commitment can be a barrier.
2. Transportation issues:
Not everyone has access to reliable transport. Whether due to cost, disability, or living in a rural area, getting to a physical location may simply not be feasible.
3. Intimidation factor:
For some, sitting in a room with a stranger, even a trained professional, can feel intimidating or overwhelming. The unfamiliar environment might add to feelings of anxiety rather than alleviate them.
I use a professional package for Zoom to conduct sessions, and have grown to enjoy working in this way. I have found it very useful to reach people who I wouldn't normally be able to work with due to distance or time factors. I myself, have both personal counselling and have my clinical supervision online and it works excellently. I don't offer telephone counselling work as I find this too impersonal and difficult to judge the emotions or feelings when you can only hear the words. Sometimes, tech can let us down, which needs to be kept in mind, and in this case, I would use a telelphone until such time as the IT issue was fixed.
I agree with Abigails thoughts below.
Why you might choose video counselling:
1. Comfort of your own space:
One of the biggest advantages of video counselling is that you can participate from the comfort of your own home. This familiarity can help some people feel more at ease and less anxious during sessions.
2. Visual connection:
Video counselling allows you to see your therapist’s face, which can help in building a connection and understanding their responses more fully. This visual component can make the experience feel more personal than telephone counselling.
3. No commute:
Like telephone counselling, video sessions eliminate the need for travel. This not only saves time but also reduces the stress associated with commuting, making it easier to fit therapy into your schedule.
Why you might not choose video counselling:
1. Discomfort on camera:
Not everyone is comfortable being on camera. If you find that video calls make you self-conscious or distract you from the conversation, this could hinder the effectiveness of your therapy.
2. Screen fatigue:
With the rise of remote working, many people are experiencing screen fatigue. If you spend much of your day in front of a computer, the idea of yet another video call might feel exhausting.
3. Lack of private space:
While video counselling can be done from home, it still requires a private, quiet space where you won’t be interrupted or overheard. For those who don’t have this kind of space, video counselling may not be the best option.
In an excellent article, 'Hypnosis – Dispelling The Myths'. (click for the link) Written by Emma Evans published on the Association for Professional Hypnosis and Psychotherapy, she explains the reality of Clinical Hypnotherapy which is a world away from the stage hypnosis whereby people are allegedly made to quack like ducks etc. Hypnotherapy is a respected and trusted approach to relaxation and learning new approaches to your problems and doesn't involve waving a watch in front of your face!
For an academic article, see Science Direct and 'Demystifying hypnosis: Unravelling facts, exploring the historical roots of myths, and discerning what is hypnosis' a PDF can be downloded from the link to read at your leisure.
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Hypnosis is NOT Sleep - although on occasion some people may relax enough to nod off for a second, but I will bring you back to a resting subconscious state.
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You Will NOT Forget (Everything)
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You Will NOT Lose Control
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You Will NOT Reveal Your Darkest Secrets
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You Will NOT Get Stuck in Hypnosis - you may find it very comfortable where you are and not want to come back into reality, but you can.
Interestingly, Clinical Hypnotherapy can be carried out quite successfully online by using headphones/earbuds to limit outside distractions and a comfortable chair or recliner. The only requirement would be that I could see you using your webcam just to make sure you are still relaxed and comfortable.
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