Starting therapy can feel like a big step, especially if it’s your first time or if you’ve had past experiences that didn’t feel like the right fit. It’s completely normal to feel nervous, uncertain, or unsure of what to expect.

At North Shore Mental Health Services, we want your first appointment to feel as comfortable and approachable as possible. Before scheduling, many clients choose to have a brief phone conversation or exchange a few emails with us to ask questions, learn more about our practice, and get a feel for whether we may be the right fit. We’re always happy to answer questions before you begin.

Before your first appointment, we recommend completing your paperwork online at least one day in advance. This helps us gather the information we need for insurance, consent, and clinical assessment purposes so your therapist can better understand your needs from the start. Please also bring your insurance card to your first appointment. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian will need to be present to provide consent.

During your first session, your therapist will spend time getting to know you. You may talk about what brought you to therapy, what you’re hoping to work on, your current stressors, your history, and anything else that feels important for your therapist to understand. You do not need to have everything figured out before you arrive. Part of therapy is making space to explore what feels hard to name on your own.

Your first appointment is also a time for you to ask questions. You’re welcome to ask about your therapist’s approach, what therapy may look like moving forward, how often sessions may be helpful, or anything else that would help you feel more comfortable.

We believe the relationship between you and your therapist matters. Feeling safe, respected, and understood is an important part of the therapy process. Sometimes that connection feels clear right away, and sometimes it takes a few sessions to settle in. If you already know there are things that have helped or not helped you in therapy before, we encourage you to share that with us. Therapy works best when it feels collaborative.

If you have any questions or concerns before your first appointment, please feel free to call, text, or email us. We look forward to meeting you and supporting you as you begin!