Your First Therapy Session

At your first session, your therapist will typically gather information about you, such as family history, childhood, education, employment, strengths, limitations etc.  They will also be interested to learn about what concerns/goals you have in life. The therapist will likely ask you about your current and past physical and emotional health to gain a deeper understanding of your situation. Your therapist may discuss whether you might benefit from other treatment as well, such as medications.

The first session is also an opportunity for you to interview your therapist to see if he or she will be a good match for you. Make sure you feel comfortable and can understand:

• Your Diagnosis
• What type of therapy is appropriate for you
• The goals of your treatment
• The length of each session
• How many therapy sessions you may need

It might take a few sessions for your therapist to fully understand your situation and concerns, and to determine the best course of action. If you don’t feel comfortable with the first therapist you see, try someone else. You need to feel a “connection” with your therapist, so that you are able to build a strong relationship, thus allowing yourself to be open and honest.

BRING WITH YOU

• Insurance Card/s or First Payment (if self pay)
• Parent or Guardian if the patient is under the age of 18
• Adult Patient Info Sheet or Online Form
• Child Patient Info Sheet or Online Form

METHODS OF PAYMENT

• Insurance Billed
• Medicaid
• Medicare
• Fee For Service
• Payment Plans Available

Your First Medication Mangement Appointment

At your first appointment, your provider will interview you to get to know you, learn about what you have been experiencing, and what goals you would like to achieve from treatment. The provider will also gather pertinent information, such as personal history and both personal and family medical and psychiatric history. The provider or the nurse will take your vitals and weigh you to establish a baseline. This appointment may vary in length, but is typically between 40-60 minutes. 

By the end of your first or second visit, the provider will work with you to develop a treatment plan and advise you on how to move forward. Depending on the type of treatment, the provider may order laboratory tests or refer you to another specialist.

The first session is also an opportunity to ensure that the provider will be a good match for you. Make sure you feel comfortable and can understand:

• Your diagnosis
• Medication options
• Level of care needed
• The goals of treatment
• Recommended laboratory or diagnostic testing
• The length and frequency of appointments

Your first provider might not be the one for you. Even though the provider leads the session, go in with the mentality that you are meeting him or her to see if they are the right fit for you as well. Keep in mind that the best predictor of successful treatment depends on the quality of the therapeutic relationship. So, if the connection does not evolve over time or you don’t feel your issues are being addressed, you can search for another provider and get a second opinion.

Note, the first visit is the longest. Follow-up appointments will be shorter, approximately 15-30 minutes. You will discuss how medications are working and give a concise overview of how you are doing so that the provider can determine whether or not you require medication adjustment.

BRING WITH YOU

• Insurance Card/s or First Payment (if self pay)
• Parent or Guardian if the patient is under the age of 18
• Adult Patient Info Sheet or Online Form
• Child Patient Info Sheet or Online Form
• A complete list of current medications, including any supplements
• A list of any and all psychiatric medications you have tried in the past, including how long you took them and the reason for discontinuation
• Your medical concerns and a list of any medical conditions that have been diagnosed
• List of family psychiatric history, if applicable
• If you have seen a psychiatrist or other mental health professional in the past, it is very helpful to bring a copy of those records, or your records sent from the previous office to the new provider that you will be seeing.

METHODS OF PAYMENT

• Insurance Billed
• Medicaid
• Medicare
• Fee For Service
• Payment Plans Available

TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST VISIT

• Write down a list of symptoms that you have been experiencing if you feel that you may forget to mention them
• Bring any medical or mental health records that you believe are important
• You can ask a friend or family member to come to your appointment if you feel that they can provide a unique perspective and make you feel less anxious
• Be open and honest
• Always feel free to ask questions about the diagnosis and any treatments offered
• Take notes during the visit to help you remember the conversation and keep a record of your progress