In the first session your therapist works to understand you, your goals, and what gets in the way of achieving those goals. It will take some time for you and your therapist to get to know each other and feel comfortable. Together you will design a plan to work on what you would like to be different in your life.
Benefits gained in counselling may include learning new skills such as calming your body and mind; ways to handle or cope with marital, family, work or other interpersonal relationships; a greater understanding of personal goals and values; or insight or resolution of a specific concern.
The outcomes of therapy may be different for each individual, family or couple and for this reason it is difficult to predict what the exact results of therapy will be.  Since therapy may involve discussing unpleasant aspects of your life, you may experience strong emotions or difficult memories during or, following a session. These feelings are a natural part of therapy and of the process of change.