The First Session
Your first counseling session at Hope Seay Counseling is a warm, intentional time designed to help you feel comfortable, understood, and clear about next steps. Whether you meet in-person in Murfreesboro or virtually across Tennessee, here’s what to expect.
Before the session
Intake paperwork: You’ll be asked to complete brief intake forms and consent documents. These can often be completed online beforehand to save time.
Solidify financial arrangements: If you are using your insurance, my billings specialists will run your benefits and eligibility so you will know what to expect regarding costs. If self pay, my fees are listed on my website.
Practical details: You’ll get information about session length (typically 50 minutes), fees, cancellation policy, and how to contact the office in between sessions if needed.
Arrival and welcome
A calm greeting: If your session is in-person, I may be finishing up with my previous client. You are welcome to wait in the comfort of your car or if it suites you, on the provided bench outside of my office. If virtual, we’ll make sure technology is working so you feel comfortable using the platform.
Use these quiet moments before your session starts to
still your mind, take a few deep breaths, sip on a hot drink, watch the sun come up, journal, pray, read, or simply to be quiet and still for a few moments.
Getting to know you
Your story: I’ll invite you to share what brought you to counseling now. You can talk about current concerns, history, patterns, and goals—whatever feels most important to you.
Background questions: I’ll ask about relationships, family, faith, health, sleep, and any previous therapy or treatment to get a full picture of your life and context.
Exploring goals and expectations
Prior to your fist session you will be provided with a digital copy of My Counseling Notebook. This is a document that will aid you in your counseling journey. Take a few moments prior to our first visit to review the document and follow the instructions. Bring it with you to your first session and we will explore how it will aid you in making the changes you want to make.
What you want to accomplish: We’ll clarify your goals—short-term and long-term—and discuss what success might look like for you.
Values and faith: If integrating your Christian faith is important, we’ll explore how your beliefs and spiritual practices shape your goals and how they’ll be included in care.
Therapeutic approach and collaboration
How we’ll work together: I’ll explain my counseling style, methods I commonly use, and how sessions are structured. Counseling at Hope Seay Counseling is individualized—grounded in professional therapeutic techniques and integrated with Christian faith when desired.
Collaboration and transparency: We’ll agree on confidentiality limits, mutual responsibilities, and how often we’ll meet. You’re encouraged to ask questions or give feedback anytime.
Planning next steps
Treatment plan: We’ll outline a tentative plan and possible interventions tailored to your needs.
Scheduling: If you choose to continue, we’ll schedule follow-up sessions and set priorities for the next appointment.
What you should bring or expect next time
Homework or reflection: Occasionally I suggest short exercises, scripture reflections, journaling prompts, or practical practices to try before the next session.
Comfort and pace: Sessions move at a pace that feels safe and respectful of your story. You’re in control of how much you share.
If you’re nervous, that’s normal—most people are. My goal is to provide a safe, compassionate space where your faith and your healing can be integrated. If you’d like to book a first session or have questions about what to prepare, I’m here to help. Click on the button below to get scheduled.
Each individual’s experience with counseling varies. Some are ready and excited to get started while others are ready yet apprehensive. Some have experience with counseling while others are just getting started.
There can be a wide range of emotions during counseling, especially within the first few sessions. This can happen partially because when reaching out for counseling you may be dealing with something that feels heavy, weighty, and difficult to talk about. Whatever you may be feeling is absolutely valid. Together we will take a deeper dive into your feelings and explore the thoughts you are having that are contributing to your feelings.
It is my aim at Hope Seay Counseling that you feel heard, seen, and safe as you work though thoughts and feelings you may be having about various things without being judged or harshly corrected.
I hope you leave your first session feeling hopeful and comfortable to continue your counseling journey.
If you have not already scheduled your first session, let’s get in touch and explore together how counseling can help you with the unique challenges you are facing.
Thank you for your time and I am looking forward to meeting with you soon.
Take care!
Hope
