For newcomers preparing for your first therapy session can be a little confusing. Typically it’s caused by not understanding how to prepare and schedule your appointment. And the overwhelm of doing so may cause you to put off therapy. Before you give up, I want to share some simple tips to help guide you when preparing and scheduling your first therapy session.
Paying For Your First Therapy Session
One of the first and most important steps is to choose or find a therapist. This process does include a few different tasks. These tasks will vary depending on whether you have insurance and if your insurance plan covers therapists. Additionally, if you don’t have insurance, you’ll have to pay for your first therapy session and subsequent sessions out of pocket. These factors will impact how you pay for your first session and future appointments.
If You Have Insurance
First, call your insurance provider regarding mental health benefits and what they cover. Key questions that you should ask them include:
- Do they cover outpatient services?
- Is there a limit on how many services they cover?
- If so, how many sessions are covered?
- What is the typical co-payment for therapy appointments?
- Have you met your deductible for the year?
- If so, will your co-insurance or co-pay apply?
These are just a few examples of essential questions to ask. This way, you’ll be fully aware of the benefits set forth by your insurance provider. Consequently, this information will allow you to determine how much you will have to pay for therapy out of pocket, if anything.
If You’re Uninsured
Dealing with inadequate insurance coverage or not having insurance means you’ll have to pay out of pocket. Furthermore, you’ll want to discuss fees and payments ahead of time. So, as you begin choosing your therapist, inquire about fees and the cost of services. Many providers offer self-pay discounts for patients paying out of pocket.
But, determining fees beforehand can help you budget and plan the cost of your therapy. It also allows you to compare the price of services between therapists and choose a therapist that aligns with your budget.
Choosing A Qualified Therapist
After determining how you will pay for therapy, it’s time to choose your therapist. There are a few different ways you can go about this. First, you can look for in-network therapists who accept your plan if you have insurance.
On the other hand, if you’re not insured, getting referrals may prove more beneficial. People who can provide you with a referral include your primary care provider, family, and friends who are undergoing therapy.
You can search professional online resources if these options don’t provide results—sites such as the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies list available providers in your area. The American Psychological Association also provides options for providers near your location.
Lastly, you may consider other options such as Better Help, Talkspace, or Online Therapy. These companies provide what’s known as “internet therapy,” which can be an affordable option for many who don’t have insurance coverage.
I recommend creating a list of potential therapists. This way, you can speak to and research multiple therapists to determine who offers the services that would most benefit you. Factors to remember include areas they specialize in, types of therapy they provide, experience, training, insurance they accept, cost, and location.
Scheduling Your First Appointment
Once you’ve created a list of potential therapists, you can begin calling to determine if they’re a good fit. Ask questions about their scheduling structure and if there are any critical rules or guidelines you should know. Furthermore, you can also inquire about their training and expertise in specific areas and how long they’ve been in practice.
You also want to ask them about the insurance they accept and their fees and expense. And if they offer a self-pay discount for those paying out of pocket. Upon finding a provider you believe is appropriate, you can finally schedule your first therapist appointment.
Preparation for Your First Appointment
Now that the most time-consuming part of the process is complete, you can dedicate time to mentally preparing for your first therapist appointment. The first step is to determine your reasons for seeking therapy. Are you looking to gain a potential diagnosis for depression or anxiety? Did your primary care provider refer you? Or, perhaps, you’re struggling with grief.
Regardless of your unique reasons for seeking therapy, please take the opportunity to get clear on them. Doing so lets you understand what you want and help you communicate it to your therapist. Thus, improving your results and making therapy more beneficial for you.
Dealing with Mental Health Conditions
However, if your circumstance is due to dealing with a specific issue such as an eating disorder, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or behavior that puts yourself or others at risk, take care to choose a therapist that works specifically with those issues. The same applies to those with mental health conditions such as bipolar, ADHD, borderline personality disorder, or schizoaffective disorder. Working with a therapist specializing in these conditions may provide a better result.
Write Down Your Goals
In addition to knowing and understanding what you’re seeking to get out of therapy. It’s also beneficial to understand what your goals are. If you’re dealing with depression caused by a breakup, your goal may be to learn how to grieve and cope with losing your partner.
On the other hand, if you’re working to manage a mental health condition, your goals may center on having someone who helps you deal with the complications you face. You may want them to help you manage what you’re going through and learn coping mechanisms to deal with the emotional and mental upset these things can cause.
Purchase a dedicated journal to write down these goals. In this way, you can bring them to your first therapist appointment and discuss them. That way, everyone is on the same page. And an appropriate treatment plan for your goals can be created.
Write Down Your Questions And Concerns
The last and perhaps most important part of preparing for your first therapist appointment is to compile questions and concerns to discuss during your session. It’s easy to forget your questions or concerns during your appointment. But writing them down in your therapy journal will help you remember them.
In addition to writing down questions that you may have, you can also write down concerns. This will prove helpful if you have concerns regarding therapy, your condition, or a potential diagnosis. Whatever you need to ask, make sure to write your questions down. By doing so, you remember to talk about them.
If there’s important information regarding your health history, past experiences, current circumstances, or current state of health, definitely write them down. You’ll want to make sure you share them with your therapist.
You may believe these bits of information have little to do with therapy, but they do. They give your therapist a better picture of what’s going on to provide you with better treatment, which can yield better results.
Putting It Into Action
Now that you have a step-by-step action plan about how you can prepare for your first therapist appointment, it’s time to put them to work.
While these steps can seem a little overwhelming initially, breaking them down into easy-to-complete tasks can help you progress toward better mental and emotional help. Good luck on your journey to a healthy mind and better quality of life!
