What to Expect from Therapy in Miami

You’ve made the bold decision to go to counseling or therapy.  You’ve talked to several therapists in Miami and the neighboring areas of Brickell, Coral Gables, South Miami, Pinecrest, and Doral.  You made an appointment with the one you felt most connected with over the phone.  Now your first appointment is just a few days away, and you’re getting nervous.  Read on to calm your nerves, and understand more about how counseling starts and unfolds.

What will you talk about? Do you dive right in with a stranger?  Will they think you’re loco?

It takes courage to ask for help and explore your personal affairs with someone new.  Go at a pace that’s comfortable for you.  Your therapist will understand that you’re nervous and will do their best to help you feel comfortable.

You get to test the waters. See what you feel comfortable divulging at first. You don’t have to be worried. Your therapist is well versed on new clients and has a plan or blueprint for the first few sessions anyways.

Every therapist has his/her own way of doing things. Trust the process. You will begin to feel more at ease as the sessions go on.

What are sessions like?  Do you just talk?

During the initial session, expect to review paperwork, rates, cancellation, and other administrative policies.  You’ll also discuss confidentiality, and your therapist will begin to learn about you.

You’ll also discuss confidentiality, and your therapist will begin to learn about you.  S/he will keep learning more about you during the second session, explore what you’ve done so far, how it turned out, and s/he will start getting an idea of how to help you.

In the following session, your therapist will help you figure out what to focus on and how you’d like to go about changing it.  Any sessions after that are spent working towards your goals, deciding if adjustments are needed, and/or if it’s time to finish counseling.

How long will therapy take?

It really depends on you and the circumstances that brought you to therapy.  Everyone is different, but most people say they start feeling better by the 3rd session.  On average, our clients attend somewhere between 6 to 15 sessions during the full course of treatment.

What happens if you and the therapist don’t click?

It happens sometimes.  Just like you might not like someone you meet, the same thing can happen with a therapist because they’re people, too.  Tell your therapist that you don’t feel like you’re establishing a good rapport with them and that you’d like a recommendation for a better fit. 

Most counselors will understand and can help you find someone they think you’ll connect with.  If you need to start your search for a new therapist, try these questions to ensure a better fit in the future.

Can I bring someone to therapy?

Yes, most therapists will allow you to invite someone to join you for therapy if it fits with your goals for treatment.  You’ll have to sign a consent form and have a conversation with your therapist to discuss the intention of having a guest and if any topics should not be discussed with the guest.

Can sessions be done online?

Absolutely.  Now more than ever we see our clients online. Our psychologists can provide online therapy sessions to anyone that resides in the state of Florida.  Telehealth sessions make it possible for anyone who travels frequently or wants to work with an expert in a particular treatment a few cities away, for example, to get access to consistent and appropriate mental health care.

I hope reading this helped calm your fears about what to expect in therapy in Miami or its surrounding areas of Brickell, Coral Gables, South Miami, Pinecrest, and Doral.

If you’re a young professional looking for help with anxiety or depression related to dating and relationships, self-confidence, dysfunctional family members, you can read more about how we can help here.  If you have everything but you’re still not happy, We hope you’ll call us at (305) 501-0133 or schedule for a free 15-minute Clarity Consult by phone.  I’m happy to hear about what’s happening and help you find a good solution.