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Getting Started with Therapy

at The Wellness Counseling Center, LLC

What to Expect On Your Healing Journey

We get it. Therapy can sound intimidating, especially if you’ve never explored counseling before. If this is your first experience collaborating with a mental health provider, you may think that therapy is just a bunch of crying and random breakthroughs with a few, “And how does that make you feel?” questions thrown in. 

Friend… NOTHING could be further from the truth. 

Therapy in reality – what it’s really like

We often laugh in sessions just as much as we cry. 

The process of healing can be challenging and uncomfortable at times, but it can also be an exciting time of adventure and self-discovery.

Your therapist is not your emotional boss.

Therapy is a collaborative relationship between a licensed, mental health professional and a client. As the client, you remain in full control the entire time. Ultimately, your therapist is there to offer expert support and professional emotional guidance.

Participating in therapy doesn’t mean there is something fundamentally wrong with you.

We don’t believe you are broken. We believe you are experiencing hurt, hangups, or unhealthy habits, and in the same way you’d go see a doctor for an injured arm, psychological care is helpful for healing emotional wounds and overcoming past pain.

Needing, wanting, or seeking therapy is NOT a sign of weakness.

Often, the bravest word anyone could ever say is, “Help.”

Everything is 100% confidential.

Your therapist is there for YOU, and their focus is 100% on you and your personal journey. Our therapists are ethical professionals and are legally required to honor and uphold provider-client confidentiality laws.

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What to Expect On Your Healing Journey

Step 1 – Simply contact us.

There are many benefits to therapy. From discovering how to effectively communicate your feelings to processing severe emotional pain, therapy helps reduce or resolve mental and emotional health issues. 

Additionally, having a safe, healthy relationship with an emotionally grounded therapist where the focus is all about you can be a very empowering experience – especially when you’re healing

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A person holds a smartphone at a cafe table, focused on the screen. A coffee cup is nearby, creating a casual, relaxed atmosphere.

Step 2 – Complete the intake paperwork.

Once you’ve been matched with a counselor, we’ll send you our intake paperwork which will allow us to begin serving you as a client. Then, we’ll schedule your first therapy appointment with your selected counselor. If you would like to meet your therapist before scheduling an official appointment with them, some of our clinicians do offer a complimentary 15-minute discovery call. If you are interested, simply let our administrative team know, and they will facilitate this for you. 

New Client Tip

Our intake paperwork for new clients is very thorough. Before taking the time to complete the forms, you may wish to have a discovery call with your provider of choice first to identify if they are the best fit for you both in availability and style.

Step 3 – Enjoy your first session.

The first session has a few key objectives, but there is no need to worry. Therapy can sound intimidating for some, but our experts are well-trained in making sure you feel comfortable and safe the entire time. 

First and foremost,

your initial session with a provider is a time to explore a new relationship. 
Research has proven that the synergy of the therapist-client relationship is one of the most important factors in healing, so bring your questions and your whole self. If the provider is not the ‘right fit’ for you, no worries. We will help guide you to a therapist you feel connected to as quickly as possible. 

The second objective

is to establish some groundwork. Your provider will communicate expectations and explain how the therapeutic process works. They’ll also provide insight into how they work, including their style, personality, and techniques. Lastly, there will be a high-level discussion regarding your wellness goals and what you hope to gain from therapy.  

After 1-3 sessions,

your therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your mental health goals. Then they will work closely with you to ensure you receive the supportive care you need throughout the duration of your treatment.

Of course, our therapists see themselves as your helpful, expert-trained guide. You are the one in the driver’s seat, and you remain in full control of your healing experience at all times. The treatment plan is simply a way to focus our collaborative efforts. If you want to adjust course or improvise your treatment plan at any time, that is perfectly fine. We can adjust our path and adapt as we go, as needed, and as you wish.

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Step 4 – Receive the supportive care you need and deserve.

People often wonder, “How long does therapy take?” But healing is limitless. We can work with any timeline, so whether you want long-term support or short-term care, we will do our best to help you. That said, the more work you’re willing to explore in therapy, the deeper healing we can help you achieve. We have found that approximately 24 sessions across 6-12 months is an ideal timeframe to experience lasting transformation – especially for clients with more complex or trauma-related concerns.

Step 5 – Explore integration, transition, or discontinuation.

Along the therapeutic journey, clients sometimes learn things about themselves that might warrant a change in therapy style. We are well-experienced in navigating a change in providers and can help ensure your transition to a new provider is as seamless an experience as possible. Before discontinuing, simply discuss your needs with your provider openly and honestly so they can help set you up for success with your next therapist.

Otherwise, following treatment conclusion, many clients like to maintain routine tune-ups and check-ins with their therapist for ongoing self-care and emotional support. But for other clients, therapy is for a reason and a season. If that’s you, that’s ok! Just let your provider know when you’re ready to welcome a new season of life.

They will work with you to ensure therapeutic integration of your session work and provide you with a positive discontinuation session or plan.

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Your next step toward healing and support

Healing is a journey of self-discovery, and it’s an adventure we were never meant to forge alone. 
Starting therapy is a beautiful next step that opens the door to new possibilities and breakthroughs. Whenever you are ready to begin therapy, we are here for you.

Keep in touch

To schedule an appointment ASAP please submit a therapy inquiry form at the link below and 
call us at 816.477.3772 to begin the process.

Therapy Inquiry