During your initial consultation at Bristol Counselling and Psychotherapy, you can expect several key elements to take place. The purpose of this session is for both you and the assessor to gather important information, establish rapport, and determine whether therapy is appropriate for your needs at this point in time. We will invite you in for an initial consultation where you can tell the assessor a bit more about yourself. This is a full session and will last 50 minutes. Thereafter if we feel we are the right fit for you and if you would like to proceed you will be matched with a counsellor suited to what you tell the assessor on the day, from there you will be able to get started the following week. If we feel we are not the right fit we will refer you to a different organisation, one that may be of more help to you.

Here are some things you can expect:

Introduction and establishing rapport: The assessor will introduce themselves and ask you how you are feeling on the day. We recognise how difficult it can be to speak to someone you’ve never met before about yourself. Remember, we’ve been there too so we understand the anxieties around this.

Discussion of your concerns: The assessor will give you the opportunity to talk about the issues or challenges that brought you to therapy. They will listen attentively, ask relevant questions, and seek clarification to gather a comprehensive understanding of your concerns. The types of questions you can expect are: What are your current cirmcumstances, who is in your support network, early life details, family history, adverse childhood experiences, attachments, history of relationships, emotional and mental health, any diagnoses, medication, history of self-harm or suicidal attempts, plans or thoughts.

Exploration of goals: The assessor will ask you about your goals and what you hope to achieve through therapy. This can help guide the treatment process and ensure that you and the therapist are aligned in working towards those goals.

Assessment and evaluation: The assessor will ask specific questions related to your mental health, emotions, behaviors, relationships, and other relevant areas of your life.

Treatment recommendations: Based on the information gathered during the session, the assessor may provide initial insights or recommendations for treatment. They might discuss different therapeutic approaches or modalities that could be beneficial for your specific concerns for example addictions, eating disorders, trauma, PTSD, anxiety/depression, workplace counselling etc.

Addressing questions and concerns: You are encouraged to ask any questions or express concerns you have about therapy or the therapeutic process. This can help you gain a better understanding of what to expect and develop a sense of comfort and trust with the organisation.

Discussing logistics: Towards the end of the session, logistical details such as the frequency of sessions, session duration, and payment arrangements may be discussed. It’s also common to schedule the next appointment if you decide to get started with therapy.

From there, once you have agreed on a start date you will begin work with your carefully selected therapist. This is usually within 2 weeks.

Remember that the initial therapy consultation serves as an opportunity for you to assess if we are a good fit for your needs and if you feel comfortable working with us. It’s okay to ask questions and take your time to consider your options before committing to ongoing therapy. You can visit our team page to find out more or visit our FAQ page.

If you’d like to get started by booking an initial consultation, our team can be reached by emailing hello@bristolcounsellingandpsychotherapy.co.uk or, alternatively, by calling 07751 271709. Remember, we’re here to help, so get in touch when you feel ready.