Starting therapy, whether you’re new to the process or transitioning from a previous therapist to our team at Anchored Counseling Co., is a courageous and transformative step in your journey towards well-being. We want to honor where you are, and we’re truly glad that you’re here. Therapy can bring up a range of emotions, and that’s completely normal. It’s brave to prioritize your mental health, and this intentional act can positively impact various areas of your life—relational, emotional, spiritual, and more.
Beginning Your Therapy Journey
Starting therapy can feel both brave and daunting. It’s a big step, and whether it’s your first time or you’ve been in therapy before, it can stir up feelings of uncertainty, fear, or even excitement. Know that these emotions are appropriate and completely valid at this stage of your journey. Acknowledging them is part of the process.
At Anchored Counseling Co., we want to ensure that you have the best fit for your needs. Your therapist will be someone who specializes in addressing the concerns that brought you to therapy. During your first session, the goal is to establish a foundation for your therapeutic relationship, which includes discussing informed consent, practice policies, confidentiality, and other important aspects of therapy.
What to Expect in Your First Session
In the first session, your therapist will take time to review essential information with you. This includes our practice policies, limits to confidentiality (such as the mandatory reporting of child or elder abuse), and an overview of both the benefits and potential risks of therapy. While we hope for positive change, it’s important to acknowledge that we can’t always predict the outcome or how those changes will manifest.
You’ll also be asked for a biopsychosocial history, which is simply a conversation about your life story. Your therapist will want to understand both your present situation and what has shaped you in the past. This process can take a few sessions as we get to know you, explore what makes you tick, and understand the bigger picture of your experiences.
Setting Your Therapy Goals
At Anchored Counseling Co., we believe in being curious about your specific goals. One of the things we do well is helping clients break down their hopes into sustainable, achievable steps. Your therapist might ask you something like, “If you could wave a magic wand, what would be different in your life?” This opens the door to exploring what truly matters to you and what kind of change you desire. From there, we work together to create a path forward that feels manageable and empowering.
Building a Relationship with Your Therapist
When starting therapy, it’s not just about the work you do; it’s also about the relationship you build with your therapist. At Anchored Counseling Co., we believe that healing happens in the context of safe and supportive relationships. You may have been hurt in relationships, but through therapy, you also have the opportunity to heal in relationships.
Your therapist will invite you to ask questions about how they practice and share aspects of themselves within professional boundaries, so you can feel confident and comfortable with the person guiding you through this journey. At Anchored, we prioritize authenticity, transparency, and genuine care for our clients. We want you to feel supported, seen, and understood.
Moving Forward in Therapy
As you embark on this new chapter, it’s natural for therapy to seem a bit intimidating at first. But breaking it down step by step makes the process less scary and more approachable. Our therapists are trained to be warm, thoughtful, and relational, always putting the relationship first. This relational focus is the heart of healing, and we are committed to walking alongside you with care and confidence in your ability to make meaningful changes. For some extra insight and support, Portia Nelson’s poem, “Autobiography in Five Short Chapters“, articulates so many important elements of change and healing in our lives.
AFFIRMATION OF THE DAY: “I am brave for choosing to prioritize my mental health.”
We would be honored to be part of your journey. Therapy is a brave choice, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Becoming Anchored in Hope,
Laura
Laura is committed to guiding individuals along their path to mental wellness and has carefully gathered a team of skilled, knowledgeable, and committed therapists at Anchored Counseling Company to assist in this mission. The professionals here create an environment that is supportive and affirming, informed by an understanding of trauma. At Anchored Counseling Co., there’s a shared belief in the fundamental worth of each person, and therapy is delivered with warmth and empathy. The therapeutic philosophy here is built on the premise that every client has the natural ability to enact meaningful and enduring change in their life. To connect with a therapist who aligns with your unique needs, please contact our office at 615.510.3797 or visit our website today.
