“Mental health counseling” is one of the top searches people make when they’re thinking about getting help. Often what’s holding them back isn’t whether counseling works. It’s not knowing what actually happens. Here’s a walkthrough.
Step 1: A short consultation
Most therapists offer a brief call before you commit. In my practice, it’s a free 15-minute consultation. You can share what’s been going on, ask how I work, and get a feel for whether we’d be a good fit. There’s no obligation.
Step 2: Your first session
The first full session is mostly about getting to know you. Expect to talk about:
- What brought you in, and why now
- How it’s affecting your work, relationships, sleep, or mood
- Your history, including past therapy, health, and family background
- What you’d like to be different
You don’t need to have the right words or a neat story. “I just don’t feel like myself” is a perfectly good place to start.
Step 3: Building a plan together
Over the first few sessions, we’ll set goals and choose an approach that fits. That might be ERP for OCD, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for anxiety, or a solution-focused approach for a life transition. Counseling is collaborative. You’ll always know what we’re working on and why.
Fit matters
The National Institute of Mental Health notes that therapy conversations are deeply personal, so it’s important to feel comfortable with your therapist and confident in their expertise. If something doesn’t feel right, say so. Good therapists welcome feedback, and a different fit is always an option.
Confidentiality
What you share in counseling is private, with a small number of legal exceptions, such as a risk of serious harm. I’ll go over these clearly at the start, so there are no surprises.
In person or online
Counseling works in either format. I see clients at my Tampa office and by secure telehealth across Florida, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Washington.
Ready to talk?
I offer in-person sessions at my Tampa office and telehealth for clients in Florida, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Washington. Start with a free 15-minute consultation to see if we’re a good fit.
If you’re in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. In an emergency, call 911.
Sources
Featured photo: “Rochester, United States (Unsplash d44Vd16m0LM)” by Lesly B. Juarez, Wikimedia Commons (CC0).
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