For those who have never seen a therapist, this is a question that pops up a lot. It can be intimidating to start therapy, or perhaps to restart with a new provider after a hiatus. Intake sessions vary, but they generally cover a lot of the same info. There are typically a few questions about your childhood, your medical history, and your symptoms (mental health related).
I like to be practical and want you to have a tangible example of what I’m talking about, so I’ll highlight what I’ve historically chosen to include in my own intake sessions. This would ordinarily take a while to type up, but thankfully I already have something I like to call the “explain it like I’m five” version saved. When I first started seeing clients, I was concerned that I’d forget something critical. To prevent this, I wrote up a brief cheat sheet and went over it with clients in our first session. Even now, I still refer to it. It’s listed below in a bolded font.
The Intake Session: ELI5
The first thing we need to cover is confidentiality. Whatever you say in the room stays in the room. Because I am a mandated reporter, there are two exceptions to this. (1) If you indicate you are a danger to yourself or others, by law, I must report this. (2) If you indicate you have knowledge of abusive acts committed against a child, elderly person, or other dependent adult, by law, I must report this. Everything else (yes, everything!) is kept between the two of us.
I also need to let you know that I’m under the clinical supervision of [clinical supervisor’s name]. If I’m ever unsure how to best proceed in a particular situation, I’ll consult with her. This is to protect you as the client and ensure you receive the most ethical, competent care possible.
Let’s cover some frequently asked questions as well.
First frequently asked question: “Amy, what happens if I see you at the gym/grocery store/cool new restaurant in town?” Out of respect for your privacy, I will not approach you or otherwise indicate that I know you. However, you’re more than welcome to wave, say hi, or simply pretend you don’t see me – whatever you’re comfortable with!
Second frequently asked question: “Amy, can we make plans to hang out outside of our sessions and/or can we be friends on Facebook, Instagram, etc.?” I’m sure you’re very cool, but I am not allowed to do this for ethical reasons.
Third frequently asked question: “Amy, I’m a parent and am wondering how I can stay in the loop with my child’s sessions. How does that work?” We can schedule parent sessions in order to brainstorm ways to support your child in reaching their goals. However, I cannot breach their confidentiality, so no details regarding what they have disclosed in their sessions can or will be shared. [Note: I’ve also since added some suggestions on how parents can support their kids in therapy, with particular emphasis on them seeing a therapist of their own. It’s important to address this prior to ever meeting with their child privately, as otherwise they may wonder if the suggestion is a result of something their kid shared in session.]
One last frequently asked question: “Amy, this intake session has so many questions! Will all our sessions be like this?” Thankfully, no. I have to collect a lot of data in the beginning to get a well-rounded picture of who you are as a person. But don’t worry, most of our sessions will be all about you, your needs, and what is most helpful for you in order to meet your goals.
I generally don’t work with couples, but on the rare occasions that I have, I have amended this to include a few other things. I explain that (1) the relationship is my client, (2) it’s highly recommended that they each see a therapist for individual therapy, and (3) there is a “no secrets” policy, which essentially means that if one person shares something that their partner does not know, we come up with a plan of how they will share that information with them.
Lastly, the intake session may also vary depending on why and where you’re seeking care. An intake session for someone at an in-patient treatment facility for substance use disorders is probably going to cover different things than the one for someone who is struggling with anxiety and has an appointment with a clinician in private practice. With that said, if you’re ever unsure why you’re being asked a particular question, feel free to request more information from your provider.
While starting therapy can feel a bit daunting, I hope this helps you feel a little more prepared for the process.