Starting Therapy as a Teen: What to Expect in Those First Few Sessions
Ivy Griffin
If your teen is in therapy for the first time, you might wonder what’s going on during those first few sessions, and your teen might be wondering what to expect when talking to a therapist for the first time. It makes sense to be curious or even nervous for this new experience. Building rapport is an important part of therapy, and especially important when working with teens. Making a true connection with someone is a vital first step towards effective therapy. Everyone is different, but it usually takes a few sessions to start to build a sense of trust and comfort with a new therapist. This is especially true for teens, who might be apprehensive about attending therapy to begin with. Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re a teen or a parent of a teen who has questions about what those first few sessions might look like:
● We’ll focus on getting to know each other first and foremost. This is a new relationship, and it takes time for the therapist and client to get to know each other. It is totally normal to feel weird or reluctant to tell a brand new person your innermost thoughts and feelings!
● We might play a game, do a puzzle, color, or do get-to-know-you questions. These are all great ways to ease into therapy, get to know each other, and have fun! Games and other fun activities have therapeutic value, too.
● It might not “feel” like therapy, especially at first. We might spend a few sessions doing activities, playing games, and just sharing a space together before diving into anything deeper. Therapy doesn’t always look any one specific way, and having a strong therapeutic relationship is the most important factor in positive therapy outcomes.
● For teens, remember that these sessions are about you. You'll have the opportunity to openly share what's on your mind, whether it's a recent event, a recurring struggle, or your hopes and dreams for the future. Your therapist will ask thoughtful questions to help you explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a safe, non-judgmental space.
● You have your own rights to confidentiality, even as a minor, so your therapist will check in with you before sharing anything you tell them with your parents. The only exceptions to this are specific reasons the therapist would have to break confidentiality, which they will go over with you. Some of these reasons include harm to yourself or others, child abuse, elder abuse, and dependent adult abuse.
● Your parents probably have their own goals for you in therapy, but your therapist will want to know what you want to get out of therapy, too. Your therapist is there to guide you, support you, and provide a caring perspective, but you get to decide the pace and direction of your therapy journey. Don't hesitate to be honest about your thoughts and feelings along the way.
Seeking help through therapy can be intimidating, but it's also an incredibly brave and empowering step. With the right therapist by your side, the therapy process can be transformative, helping you develop crucial life skills, gain self-awareness, and it can also be fun!
Warmly,
Lauren Ash, AMFT #140948
https://thrivetherapyandcounseling.com/lauren-ash
https://thrivetherapyandcounseling.com/new-clients