What to Expect in Your First Counselling Session 

Before the session 

It is common to feel nervous before a first counselling session. Many people worry about what they will say or whether counselling will help. 

You do not need to prepare anything in advance or have a clear explanation of what is wrong. 

During the first session 

Your counsellor will usually: 

• Explain how counselling works 

• Talk through confidentiality and its limits 

• Invite you to share what has brought you to counselling 

• Ask gentle questions to understand your situation 

There is no pressure to talk about everything at once. You can take your time. 

After the session 

By the end of the session, you should have a sense of: 

• Whether the space felt respectful and safe 

• How it felt to talk with the counsellor 

• Whether you would like to continue 

It is okay to need more than one session to decide.