Before your first therapy session
In short: the first session is usually part assessment, part logistics, and part seeing whether you can work together. You do not have to share everything immediately; you can ask how therapy will work, what it costs, and what happens if it is not the right fit.
Questions that are worth asking early
- How do fees work (per session, cancellation policy, payment timing)?
- Are there rebates or plans you might use (for example Medicare with a mental health treatment plan, private health extras, NDIS — eligibility varies)?
- What approaches or modalities do they use, and what does that mean in practice?
- How do they handle risk, after-hours contact, and confidentiality limits?
- What is the typical rhythm (weekly, fortnightly) and how is progress reviewed?
What often happens in a first appointment
Many clinicians start with background: what brought you in, what you have tried before, and what you hope will change. They may explain how they work, confidentiality, and what they can and cannot help with. You might not leave with a full treatment plan — that can take a few sessions as trust builds.
Fit is allowed to take more than one session
Some discomfort is normal when talking about hard topics; that is different from feeling unheard, dismissed, or unsafe. If something feels off, naming it is reasonable. You can also pause or end therapy without owing a long explanation — though a single conversation about what is not working sometimes resolves misunderstandings.
Privacy
Therapy is confidential within legal and ethical limits (for example risk of serious harm). If you use digital services, it is fine to ask where data is stored and how sessions are conducted securely.