What to expect during your first session
We understand that attending a first appointment can be stressful for most people, even for people who have been to therapy before. To help address concerns or questions, here are a few things you could expect when attending your first session with a PVMH provider.
Your provider will start by introducing themselves and going over the information you filled out on your intake forms.
Your first session is referred to as an intake assessment and will take around 90 minutes. It may take more or less time depending on how much there is to talk about. Therapy will begin at your second session. The provider who does your intake session will be your therapist.
During your first session, your provider will ask a lot of questions. Asking questions helps your provider get to know you and how to best help. There are no wrong answers. Your therapist may ask questions that you already answered on your intake packet. This is to confirm or add to the information you provided.
If you don’t know the answer to a question, that’s okay! You can always come back to it another time.
Your provider is going to ask some questions that may feel very personal. We understand that there are some questions that you don’t feel ready to answer or talk about just yet. We can come back to it when you feel ready. If there is something you don’t feel ready to talk about, you don’t need to tell your provider what it is, they just need to know if there’s more to tell in the future.
You may receive an initial diagnosis during your first session. If you do, your provider will explain why they chose that diagnosis. If you do not receive a diagnosis, that only means that your provider needs more information before they can be certain that your symptoms are accurate to a specific diagnosis. If you have a previous diagnosis, your provider will ask questions about that.
Your therapist does not prescribe medications. If you and your therapist decide together that medication management is needed alongside therapy, they can refer you to a psychiatrist or talk to your primary care physician. If you are prescribed psychiatric medications already, your therapist will need to know about those.
Everything that is said while in session stays between you and your therapist with some exceptions. All providers at Pioneer Valley Mental Health are mandated reporters, which means that if someone says something that might indicate imminent danger, we are legally obligated to intervene. A full description of exceptions to confidentiality can be found in Therapist Client Responsibilities form under “Statement Regarding Confidentiality”. If you are worried that you are at risk of harming yourself, please let your therapist know so that you and your therapist can make a safety plan.
