What to Expect at Your First Visit

If you’ve never been in therapy, the prospect of setting your first appointment may be intimidating or daunting.  It’s normal to feel a bit anxious!  Quite understandably, you may wonder what to expect at your first session.  Rest assured that our first priority is to make you feel relaxed, comfortable and welcome.  Baton Rouge Counseling is a judgment free zone.

We took some snapshots of the office to give you a better idea of what to expect.  Here we are at 11606 Southfork Ave Suite 101:

Baton Rouge Counseling, 11606 Southfork Ave Suite 101, Baton Rouge, LA 70816

Your first appointment will be 2 hours in length (regular appointments thereafter are usually 55 minutes).  Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our friendly office manager, Trish Landry.    She will have some paperwork for you to complete which takes about 15 – 20 minutes.  While you are filling out paperwork, Trish will offer you coffee, tea, hot chocolate, water, or soda.  Once you complete the paperwork, she will create your chart where your confidential information and therapists notes will be kept.  We have a comfortable lobby for you to wait in.

Keurig Coffee Station

Next, your therapist will briefly review your paperwork and then greet you in the lobby and bring you back to their office where your session will begin.  Sessions usually start off with you sharing some of your history and reasons for coming into therapy.  The primary goal of the first session is for you to feel at ease with your therapist and allow them to get to know you and understand the nature and history of the issues you are facing.  Here are some snapshots of the therapist’s offices:

Office of Todd Atkins, LCSW

Your therapist’s job is to build a supportive relationship with you and provide a safe and confidential environment to explore your concerns and issues.  Our therapists will not judge or shame you, or try to impose their own moral agendas!  They are trained professionals who accept you where you are and help you find your answers.

Throughout the first session, your therapist will work with you in a supportive role to identify and explore your concerns and issues.  Although much can be accomplished in one session, it commonly takes several follow-up sessions to explore your issues in greater detail.  Toward the end of your first session, you and your therapist will discuss and decide how to proceed with an individualized plan for further sessions, assignments, and suggestions.  You will have an opportunity to ask your therapist questions.

Once you wrap up your session, your therapist will walk you back to the business office to handle payment and rescheduling.

Each session is individualized based upon your unique reasons for choosing counseling, and your therapist works diligently to make sure your experience is both cost effective and highly supportive.

Read our Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy for more on what to expect from therapy, or give us a call at (225) 293-2913 to schedule your first appointment.