Making the decision to get counseling or therapy can be a big one! One that many people struggle with and go back and forth on. In this post, I will help you explore the idea of counseling or therapy in the Fort Smith area and what you can expect.
What to expect from your first consultation with a therapist in the Fort Smith area.
Many therapists will offer a free 15-minute consultation. This is a really good opportunity to get a feel for what your therapist’s personality is like and if you feel like they are a good fit for you.
You’ll want to have some questions ready to help you make the best decision possible about who you work with on your mental health. If you would like some ideas on what to ask, I have a post that goes over common questions that you can ask your therapist.
What to expect in the first session with a therapist in the Fort Smith area
For the most part, your first session will focus mostly on getting to know you and listening to your story. Most therapists call this first session the “Intake.” They will ask a lot of questions about your background, your family of origin, your current symptoms and what you want to get out of therapy.
When I meet with a client for the first time, I have a form that I fill out at the end of the session. This form helps me to make sure I’m hitting all the important points during that first session. So I will ask questions about what traumatic experiences you had growing up, grief issues, suicidal thoughts, etc. This gives you the opportunity to explore and share information that we can use to develop your treatment plan.
How long does someone work with a therapist in the Fort Smith area
This will vary depending on what your needs are from therapy. You may only need a little support from a therapist and might be able to reach your goals is 2-3 months. Or if you are dealing with some serious past trauma, therapy may take longer. But I think on average, clients will reach their therapy goals in 4-6 months.
If you have other questions about what therapy is like in the Fort Smith area, you should also check out this post on Frequenty Asked Questions about Therapy. If you need additional help, I’m more than happy to schedule a FREE consultation with you using this contact form.
