Your First Counseling Session at Moonstone Wellness: What to Expect
Taking the step to begin therapy is a significant one, and it's completely natural to have a mix of emotions as you prepare for your first session. You might be feeling excited, relieved, nervous, or maybe even unsure about what to expect. As the owner of Moonstone Wellness Professional Counseling Clinic, in downtown Laramie, Wyoming, and a Licensed Professional Counselor myself, I understand how important it can feel to be informed before diving into the therapeutic process. Our team of clinicians are here to support you - and while each of us may have a slightly different therapeutic approach, there are some common elements to the first session that you can expect.
A Safe and Welcoming Space
When you arrive at our office at 217 East Grand Avenue, in downtown Laramie, Wyoming- you’ll step into a calm, inviting atmosphere. Our clinic is located on the second floor, just up two flights of stairs. You’ll enter a door at the top of the stairs and once inside, you’ll find a cozy waiting area where you can relax and make yourself comfortable before your session. For your privacy and peace of mind, we’ve designed the space to help maintain a quiet and confidential environment.
Your clinician will greet you personally—when they have completed their session prior to yours- no need to knock, they will alway come to greet you. We’ve created a space where you can feel heard, respected, and supported. Our goal is to ensure you feel safe and cared for throughout your journey with us.
Getting to Know You
The first session is all about gathering information to better understand what’s bringing you to therapy. Your counselor will spend time learning about the challenges you’re facing, the goals you have for therapy, and what you hope to achieve. This helps us get a clear picture of what’s going on in your life so that we can work together on a plan that’s tailored to your needs. You’ll also have the chance to share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. Your counselor may talk to you about completing a short, HIPPA compliant questionnaire before each session to help them evaluate your progress in therapy, this will be between you and your counselor to decide.
Informed Consent and Disclosure
During your first session, your therapist will go over the logistics of counseling, including your rights as a client. This is where we’ll discuss confidentiality, what happens if you’re in danger, and other ethical guidelines that ensure you feel safe and informed in the process. This is a time for you to ask any questions about how therapy works and to understand the framework of our relationship moving forward. However, at any time in the counseling process if any questions arise, please always let your therapist know.
Discussing Past and Present
We’ll talk about what’s going on for you right now, but we might also touch on your past a bit during this first session—especially if it helps us understand the challenges you’re facing today. Some people prefer to start with the present and focus on current issues, while others feel ready to explore past experiences that might be affecting them. Your clinician will move at your pace and focus on what feels most helpful to you in the moment. Some clinicians may want to gather more specific information to help guide your therapy. In some cases, more specific questions will be asked to help understand your specific background and current needs.
An Open Dialogue
Therapy is a professional partnership, and we work together to create a space where you feel heard and understood. Your therapist wants you to feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and experiences and will be there to listen and guide you. If at any point you have questions or thoughts about the process, the techniques being used, or anything else on your mind, don’t hesitate to bring them up. It’s important that you feel confident in the direction we’re heading and that we’re moving forward at a pace that works for you.
Next Steps
By the end of your first session, your counselor will talk with you about what comes next. If it feels like therapy is a good fit, you’ll schedule your next appointment and discuss what we’ll focus on going forward. You might also receive some tools or coping strategies to work on between sessions or more specific suggestions. The goal is for you to feel supported and confident in the process, and for us to move at a pace that works for you.
“No matter who you see—whether it’s me or one of our other clinicians—you will be met with respect and understanding. We are all committed to making sure you feel safe and supported throughout your time with us.”
I know starting therapy can feel like a big step, but we will be walking those steps with you. Whether you’re coming in for individual therapy, couples counseling, or family support, we are here to guide and care for you in a way that respects your needs and emotions.
If you’re a parent looking to start child counseling services, I’ll be sharing another blog post soon that will walk you through what to expect in a child or adolescent/teen first counseling session. In that post, I’ll talk about how we approach working with children and teens, how you can support your child/teen, and what the process looks like for both.
If you’re ready to take that next step and schedule an appointment, or if you just have questions about how we work, I invite you to use the contact form at: www.moonstone-wellness.com to learn more and book your first session. We’re excited to work with you and support you on your journey toward wellness.
Sincerely,
Lindsay N. Stoffers
Owner, Moonstone Wellness
