Sarah Thompson

Therapy with Sarah

Beginning your journey towards personal growth and emotional wellbeing can be a transformative experience. The idea of starting therapy may bring about a mixture of anticipation, curiosity, and uncertainty, but understanding the process from the outset can help you feel empowered and supported.

The Initial Assessment: Your Introduction to Counselling

The very first meeting in counselling is called an initial assessment. This is a welcoming and structured session, lasting around 30 minutes, where you and your parent or guardian (if you are a young person) meet with your me. The purpose is to gently introduce you to the therapy space, help you understand how the counselling process works, and begin building a relationship based on trust and openness.

It’s important to remember that the initial assessment is not a test or judgment; rather, it’s a collaborative conversation. This is a time for you to share what has brought you to counselling, discuss your needs and expectations, and for the counsellor to explain their role, boundaries, and the principles of confidentiality. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions about the counsellor’s approach, their experience, or anything else you wish to understand before moving forward.

Main Goals of the Initial Assessment

·         Orientation: You’ll receive a tour or an overview of the environment where your sessions will take place, helping to foster a sense of safety and comfort from the start.

·         Understanding the Process: I will outline how the sessions will be structured, including how information is kept confidential, what to expect during each session, and the general boundaries that everyone will respect.

·         Mutual Exploration: Both you and the me as a counsellor, as well as your parent or guardian if present, can ask questions and discuss your hopes and concerns openly.

·         Assessing Suitability: By talking openly about your needs and goals, you and your counsellor can mutually decide if this is the right step for you at this time.

If you choose to continue with counselling, the next two sessions are generally dedicated to building rapport and understanding one another. These “get to know you” sessions often include signing a counselling contract, which ensures that both you and the counsellor are clear on expectations and responsibilities. You may also complete a risk assessment and an anxiety score, alongside other relevant forms. To help break the ice and encourage emotional exploration, I might use creative, playful activities such as Jenga or emotion-based games.

Exploring Your Story Together

After these initial sessions, the therapeutic work often begins with mapping out your child’s timeline. Parents are encouraged to provide a collection of photos on a USB stick, which can then be reviewed on a digital whiteboard. Working through these life events together helps identify potential triggers, patterns, and strengths, paving the way for coping strategies tailored to your child’s journey.

Personalised Counselling Moving Forward

From here, the direction of therapy is shaped by your child’s unique needs. Whether it’s managing anxiety, processing trauma, building self-esteem, or addressing anger, each session aims to support growth, resilience, and emotional understanding. The pace and process respect the individual, ensuring that the counselling journey is collaborative, compassionate, and empowering.