Taking That First Step: What Beginning Therapy Really Feels Like

The moment you decide to reach out for professional support marks a significant shift in how you approach your wellbeing. Whether this choice has been brewing in your mind for months or emerged from a recent realisation that you need additional support, you have arrived at a pivotal point. You are contemplating sharing your thoughts and experiences with a trained professional therapist, and that decision alone demonstrates remarkable self-awareness.

It Is Okay to Feel Everything at Once

Starting therapy can feel like opening the door to a room you have never entered before. There is excitement about the possibility of change, anxiety about being vulnerable, hope for healing, and maybe even some scepticism about whether it will actually help. All of these feelings are completely normal. You do not need to have it all figured out before you walk through that door.

You Do Not Need to Be "Broken" to Deserve Help

One of the biggest myths about therapy is that it is only for people in crisis. The truth is, therapy is for anyone who wants to understand themselves better, navigate life's challenges more skilfully, or simply have a safe space to process their experiences. You do not need to hit rock bottom to deserve support.

Think of therapy like going to the gym for your emotional and mental wellbeing. You would not wait until you could not walk upstairs to start exercising. You would begin wherever you are and build from there. The same applies to counselling.

What Actually Happens in Those First Sessions

Your therapist is not going to dive into your deepest traumas on day one (unless you want to). Most first sessions are about getting to know each other, understanding what brought you there, and figuring out what you hope to gain from the process. It is okay to start small. Maybe you want to talk about work stress, relationship patterns, or just this feeling that something is not quite right.

Your therapist will likely ask about your history but remember that you are in control of how much you share and when. This is your space, your time, your journey. There is no timeline you need to follow except going at your own pace.

Finding Your Right Person

Not every therapist will be the right fit, and that is okay too. The therapeutic relationship is deeply personal. You deserve to work with someone who makes you feel heard, understood, and safe. If the first person you meet does not feel right, it does not mean therapy is not for you. It just means you have not found your person yet.

Some people click immediately with their first therapist, others might try a few before finding the right match. Trust your instincts. You know what you need better than anyone else.

The Messy, Beautiful Work of Healing and Self-Compassion

Therapy is not a magic fix. It is more like tending to a garden. Some days you will plant seeds, other days you will water and wait, and sometimes you will need to pull weeds. The growth happens gradually, and often in ways you do not expect.

You might find yourself crying about things you thought you had moved past, or suddenly understanding patterns you have carried for years. You might feel worse before you feel better as you begin to process things you have been pushing down. This is all part of the work, and it is all normal.

What matters most during these difficult moments is how you treat yourself. Learning to speak to yourself with the same compassion you would offer a dear friend going through a hard time becomes an essential part of healing. When old wounds surface or familiar patterns repeat themselves, your inner voice needs to become gentler, not harsher. The work involves recognising when you are being self-critical and consciously choosing kindness instead.

Your therapist will model this compassion for you, but ultimately you must learn to extend it to yourself. This might feel foreign at first, especially if you have spent years being your own harshest critic. However, healing happens more readily in an atmosphere of understanding rather than judgement, both from your therapist and from yourself.

You Are Already Enough

As you consider taking this step, remember that you are not broken and in need of fixing. You are a whole person seeking growth, understanding, and support, and that is one of the most human things you can do. The fact that you are even considering therapy shows incredible self-awareness and strength.

Your story matters. Your feelings are valid. Your healing journey, whatever it looks like, is worth investing in. And that first appointment you are nervous about? It is not just the beginning of therapy. It is the beginning of a deeper relationship with yourself.

Take it one session at a time. You have got this.

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If you're considering starting your therapy journey, I'm here to support you. You can learn more about my approach and book a consultation at www.jacquelineshearmantherapy.com or follow me @Theec1therapist.