FROM THE JOURNAL
You’ve found a time that works, but your finger hovers over the booking button. What if you don’t know where to start? What if the thing you’re struggling with sounds small when you say it aloud?
You can start with the uncertainty
“I haven’t done this before” is a perfectly reasonable opening. So is “I’m not sure what I need.” A first conversation is a chance to understand what brought you here and whether working together feels useful.
You can talk about this week rather than your whole childhood. You can pause, ask a question, or say you aren’t ready to discuss something. There’s no requirement to make your story neat.
Ask the practical questions first
Before booking, you’re welcome to ask about qualifications, the kind of support offered, fees, session length and cancellation arrangements. If you’re meeting online, think about where you can speak without being overheard.
Privacy matters too. Ask how records are kept and when confidentiality might have legal or safety limits. Those questions belong in the conversation; you aren’t being difficult by asking them.
Notice how the conversation feels
You don’t need to feel instantly comfortable. Talking to someone new can be awkward. But there should be room for your questions, your pace and your preferences.
Before the session ends, ask what might happen next. You can take time to think about whether you want another appointment. Beginning therapy is a choice you can keep discussing.
Learn more about individual therapy and what it can offer, or visit our consultation booking page when you feel ready.
This article offers general reflection, rather than an individual assessment.