The initial session(s) are about assessment and involve you describing what is troubling you. Specific information about your developmental, family, work, social and health history is taken, to better understand what is happening for you and why it is happening. We clarify the problems, set goals and expectations about what can be achieved, including how consistently you need to attend sessions and an approximate timeframe. Then, we suggest appropriate ways of working on your issues, based on what the issues are, how they’ve developed and what has proven to be effective for others with similar issues or perceived problems (this approach is known as using Evidence Based Treatments). It is important to note that the assessment part of your therapy continues throughout your therapy. Because each session you come in to therapy, the more your therapist gets to know you and your personality style and ways you cope with and manage issues, and also the more information you provide them about your issues, what triggers them, and how they are maintained and develop.
Your Therapist and you then begin working on your issues in session. And you also begin working on your issues out of session. In session, you will be asked to commit to activities and tasks which you and your therapist set together to help you make the changes you want to see in your life. Some of these tasks and activities may be new psychological skills/tasks, and some will be daily activities like getting to bed at a helpful time to allow you to get enough sleep, or increasing your cardio vascular exercise to 3-4 times per week for 35-40 minutes. Each person is different so your tasks you and your therapist set will be uniquely individual to you and your specific issues and goals of therapy.