I Want to Start Therapy, Now What?
Have you thought about going to therapy, but don’t know where to start or how to make an appointment? Do you feel anxious about reaching out for help? Or going to a new place and talking to someone you just met about the most vulnerable things in your life? Those fears are so real and totally normal, I know I felt the same way when I went to therapy for the first time!
First, I am so proud of you for taking this step for yourself! You might be thinking “I haven’t done anything yet, all I’m doing is sitting on my phone reading this.” The fact that you’re even considering it enough to read this is major and you deserve to celebrate that. It’s so hard to make ourselves a priority, especially when it comes to our mental health.
Our fears and anxieties can stop us from taking the steps we need for ourselves though, and even making that first appointment feels bewildering. We know how intimidating therapy can feel in the beginning, so we try to make it as seamless as possible and make your comfort a priority. Part of easing the anxiety is having all the information laid out for you, so let’s talk about every step of the way!
How do I pick a therapist?
At Nurture and Be Therapy Services, we have a team of mental health counselors who have their own individual specialties. It’s important for us to be able to provide specialized care based on our clients’ needs. You may already have in mind who you’d like to see, but if not, our team can help you get paired with your best match. Our Client Experience Coordinator has free fifteen-minute consultations to ensure you’re with the therapist that most aligns with your needs. If you already know who you’d like to see, you can book a free consultation with the therapist and make sure it feels right for you.
Some people are ready to jump right in and skip the consultation! If you feel confident about who you’d like to book with, you can schedule your first appointment. Our therapists typically have a few spots open each week for new clients so you can get started as soon as possible.
What does your office specialize in?
We have a wide range of specialties at Nurture and Be Therapy Services! Here are a few of our top specialties:
Self-Worth Counseling: If you struggle with putting everyone else’s needs above your own, being unable to say no, or having an intense fear of failure, you probably have low self-esteem. Therapy focusing on self-esteem or self-worth can help build and enhance your sense of personal value, authenticity, and empowerment. We will explore where those negative self-beliefs are coming from, how we can boost your confidence, and what we can do to help you build healthy boundaries.
Counseling for Teenagers: Adolescents and teenagers go through so many changes all within such a short period of time. Many of them struggle with the transition from childhood and how to navigate the world around them. Therapy will help them learn coping mechanisms, social skills, and build their self-esteem so they can go into adulthood feeling confident.
Counseling for Children: Our therapists use play and expressive arts therapy to meet children on their level and hold space for all of their struggles. Therapy will help your child learn how to communicate, regulate and express their emotions, and foster creativity. We see children ages five and up!
Marriage and Couples Counseling: Counseling for couples is often seen as a last resort or because of a major betrayal, but there are so many ways counseling can benefit you as a couple. If you find yourself harboring resentment, an increase in conflicts and communication issues, and a decrease in intimacy, couples counseling may be beneficial. We work with couples to grow their intimacy and communication, and learn to have fun with each other again!
Pregnancy and Postpartum Counseling: Motherhood is a transformational experience, and one that shifts our entire identities. Counseling is a great place to work through those changes and learn to embrace motherhood while fostering self-love and balance. We specialize in pregnancy, pregnancy loss, infertility, and postpartum.
Grief and Loss Counseling: Loss rocks our foundation and can leave us feeling empty and broken. Grief is unique not only for every individual, but also each loss you experience. Our counselors can help you acknowledge your grief, process the identity shifts that naturally occur, and find a path to living a fulfilled life.
No matter what your counseling needs are, one of our mental health counselors can help you navigate them.
What do I do to prepare for my appointment?
Once you’ve booked your appointment, you will be sent your intake forms. Intake forms are where you will add your payment information, sign forms, and answer questions your therapist needs to know for your care. Depending on what you’re being seen for, you may have an additional set of forms with questions specific to your needs. The questions asked in your intake forms will be a guide used in your first session so your therapist can get to know you and learn more about your needs.
After you’ve completed your forms, all you have to do is show up for your appointment!
What does the first appointment look like?
If you’ve booked a telehealth appointment, you will be sent an email thirty minutes before your appointment with a link to join. All of our online appointments are conducted on a secure platform. If your appointment is in the office, you will have a seat in our waiting area and your therapist will come get you when they are ready! Our waiting rooms are calming and cozy so that you’ll feel right at home.
In your session, your therapist will talk to you about what you’re struggling with, what you want to work on, and a little about your history. We will lead the way and give you the safe space to be vulnerable. We recognize how hard it is to talk about the difficult things in your life, and we are so proud of you for taking the steps to move forward and live life joyfully like you deserve! Our practice is holistic, which means we don’t only consider your mental health when we are in session, but your physical and spiritual health as well. We will talk about how your mental health may be impacted by other things in your life. We may recommend chiropractic care, energy work, blood panels with your doctor, or functional medicine assessments with one of our trusted providers.
If you resonate with this blog and need support, one of our mental health counselors is here to help. We provide individual counseling in Georgia, Florida and Pennsylvania virtually, with office locations in Buford, GA and Peachtree City, GA. Book a free consultation with us today!
