What to Expect in Your First Trauma Therapy Session
By: Stephanie Godwin, MA, LMFT
It is normal to feel anxious about beginning trauma therapy. Many people feel eager for relief from their symptoms and terrified about what the process will involve at the same time. This guide walks through each step so you know what to expect.
What Happens Before Your First Trauma Therapy Session
When you contact our practice by email or phone, a therapist will reach out to make sure we feel like a good fit. If you would like, we can schedule a free 10-minute call to answer your questions and cover logistics. On that call, your therapist will explain fees, insurance, and meeting times, and answer your questions about the therapy process at Aspera.
Once you have scheduled, your therapist will email you intake forms. They are straightforward, and they do not ask for detailed information about your life. This is the formal part of the process, because we are required to provide informed consent about treatment before we begin working together.
What Happens in the First Session
Many clients are relieved to learn that the first trauma therapy session is often like any other talk therapy session. Here is how it typically goes:
Your therapist briefly reviews informed consent and asks if you have questions. All of our initial sessions are 80 minutes, which leaves time for logistics and for getting to know each other. Your therapist then asks what brings you in and learns some of your history as you begin preparing for the work ahead.
You are always in charge of what you share and the pace at which you share it. Your therapist wants to know about your strengths and the parts of your life that have helped you build resilience in addition to the hard stuff. In the first session, you will likely not go into the details of your trauma, unless there is something important you want to share. Building a therapeutic relationship takes time, and we believe in earning trust through the process.
The first session is also your chance to see how it feels in the room with your new therapist and whether it is a good fit. The therapeutic relationship should always focus on your needs, but every therapist has a range of basic information they are comfortable sharing about themselves if that matters to you. They will also answer questions about their training and about the therapy process.
How Does Trauma Therapy Feel Safe Enough to Start?
The therapeutic relationship matters even in models that have evidence that they can process trauma faster than talk therapy, such as EMDR. Trauma often happens at the hands of another person, and our nervous systems are wired for attachment and connection. After a significant disruption with another person, the nervous system needs time to begin regulating. That often happens first in the presence of a safe, regulated other, before we can do it for ourselves.
As therapy continues and trust builds with a therapist who feels like a good fit, you will:
Discuss how your therapist will know if things are becoming too challenging.
Establish what helps you feel calmest in session. Some people bring pets, and our office offers grounding tools such as weighted blankets, essential oils, and fidget spinners.
Create a plan for what helps you feel regulated after the session. Even a brief walk, journaling, or connecting with a friend can calm the body so you can go about your day.
Healing from trauma is hard work, and it should not be retraumatizing. That is why it matters to work with a well-trained trauma therapist who makes room for your feedback.
What If My Therapist Is Not the Right Fit?
You always get to decide whether your therapist is the right fit. You should not stay for long in a relationship that does not serve you or move you toward your goals. Giving feedback may feel uncomfortable, but it is also a chance to practice self-advocacy, and that can be empowering.
Taking the first step is hard, and it can also be life changing. If you would like more support, reach out here and we will answer your questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to talk about my trauma in the first session?
No. You will likely not go into the details of your trauma in the first session unless there is something important you want to share. You control what you share and the pace.
How long is the first trauma therapy session?
All initial sessions at Aspera Therapy are 80 minutes. Following sessions are typically 50 minutes but sometimes people find the 80 minute sessions more helpful. This will be discussed with your therapist and arranged based on your personal needs.
Is there a free consultation before I book?
Yes. If you would like, we schedule a free call of about 10 minutes to answer your questions and discuss logistics.
What paperwork do I need to complete?
Your therapist emails you intake forms after you schedule. They are straightforward and do not ask detailed questions about your life. They include informed consent, which we are required to provide before treatment begins.
What if I feel overwhelmed during therapy?
You and your therapist will discuss how they will know if things are becoming too challenging, and you will create a plan for what helps you feel calm during and after sessions.
Resources
More on Trauma
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