Your first therapy session

Most people feel a little nervous before their first counselling or psychotherapy session. These feelings are quite normal because you are going to meet somebody that you don't know and you are going to talk about something that troubles or upsets you. Try to remember that we are here to help you and we are on your side. Your first therapy session is a big step but most people discover it is much easier than they had imagined.

Preparation

People often ask if they need to do anything before their first appointment. Prior preparation is not necessary but do give some time to reflect on what it is that brings you to therapy. During the session you will be asked what has prompted you to seek counselling or psychotherapy and what you would like to gain from your sessions. As you would expect, your therapist will ask questions to try to understand as fully as possible what has lead to your current situation. Please feel free to ask your therapist any questions you might have as well.

Forms to fill

When we initially arrange an appointment time we will email you confirmation and a link to our admission form that you will need to fill in online. Please follow the link in the email and complete the admission form as soon as you can (minimum 24 hours before your appointment). Your details will then be securely sent through to us.

In-office appointments

If you are driving to our office at 410 Titirangi Road there is free 90 minute parking in the carpark underneath the Street Feast food hall. You don’t need to get a ticket - just park in any of the public allocated spaces and there is a number plate recognition system that checks to make sure nobody stays longer than the 90 minute allowed time. 

You will see a door accessible from the carpark marked ‘Titirangi Studios’. Walk through the door and at the end of the corridor is a waiting area. Take a seat and your therapist will come and get you at your appointment time. You will have already filled in our online admission form so there is no paperwork needed at the time of your appointment. 

Online appointments

You will have received a unique Google Meet link at the time of booking. Simply click on the link to join your online session. This link is private—only you and your therapist will have access to the meeting.

To ensure a smooth experience, it’s a good idea to get ready a few minutes before your appointment. Check your Wi-Fi connection and install any necessary software updates. Find a comfortable, private place to sit, and make sure your device is charged or plugged in. If you’re using a phone or laptop, place it on a stable surface, as holding it for a long time can become uncomfortable, and a shaky camera can be distracting to watch. You may also want to set your device to “Do Not Disturb” mode to avoid interruptions from notifications during the session.

Couples sessions

If you are coming for couples therapy then you will usually attend the first session together. You will both be asked to describe how you understand the situation and what you would like to change. It can sometimes be a little difficult to hear your partner describe things from their perspective as they may see it quite differently from you. You may be tempted to interrupt and disagree or correct how your partner perceives things. This is quite normal and your therapist will make sure that you both get a chance to talk and will hear both sides of the story. If you would like some more guidance on preparing for couples therapy, this article may help.

Take your time

You don't have to rush in and divulge every intimate detail of your life. Tell your therapist as much as you can about your situation but do it at your pace. We will not rush you or push you to talk about things you aren't ready to talk about. This is your space so you can take as much time as you need.

Duration of sessions

Individual counselling and psychotherapy sessions are 50 minutes long. Couples counselling sessions are 60 minutes long.

Payment

We do all our payments online. We will send you an invoice after the session and this will have our banking details so you can do an electronic transfer. Payment is due on receipt of invoice. 
An up-to-date price list can be found here.

Get in touch

If you have any further questions then please feel free to get in touch directly with Jon or Amanda or fill in the form below and we will phone or email you straight back.