What Happens in a First Therapy Session?

Many people who book a first session are nervous beforehand. That is completely understandable. You sit down and tell a stranger your most personal concerns and intimate details about your life.

You have the opportunity to ask questions. I listen, ask my own questions, and together we look at what’s on your mind and what the next steps might be. At the end I explain what comes next.

Sometimes it already helps to say out loud what’s been weighing on you. Sometimes a clearer picture of what you actually need emerges for the first time in that conversation.

I don’t judge. Creating a safe and trusting atmosphere matters deeply to me, whatever you bring.

What should I prepare?

Not much, really. If you have prior diagnoses or take medication, you’re welcome to mention it or bring relevant documents. That helps me build a clearer picture.

Otherwise, nothing needs to be clear, nothing sorted, nothing put into words. We do that together in the session. Everything is welcome.

Before the first session you’ll receive a consent form from me. Among other things, it notes that online therapy is not suitable for all situations, for example in cases of acute suicidality or self-harm. The signed form needs to reach me before our first session.

The first session lasts 50 minutes and takes place by video.

Nastassja Volkov, Licensed Psychotherapist