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How to prepare for a first therapy session

Published 2026-05-03 · From Avital Cohen, MSW

If you are thinking about starting therapy, you may feel ready, nervous, unsure, or all of those at the same time. That is completely normal.

You do not need to arrive with a perfect explanation of what is going on. You can begin with one sentence, one feeling, one situation, or simply: “I’m not sure where to start.”

What you can bring

You can tell me what has been difficult recently, what keeps repeating, what you wish felt different, or what made you decide to reach out now.

Questions you can ask me

The first step can be simple

A first message does not have to include your whole story. It can simply say that you are looking for therapy and would like to ask about availability.

What I write here is general information and personal reflection. It is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis or emergency support.