Therapy is one of the most effective and impactful ways to help navigate life’s toughest situations, seek mental health support, and sort through problems in a healthy and productive way. Therapy for children and young adults has been on the rise in the past few years. Navigating therapy alongside your child can be a great way to get your whole family on the same page and support your child to the fullest. In this article, we will explore how best to prepare for your first family therapy session.
Have a Conversation at Home
Before signing up your family for a therapy session, make sure to have a conversation with your loved ones. It is important to start the conversation from home before bringing your family to therapy, to build trust and educate one another about the motive behind signing up for sessions. This way, you can all start brainstorming what topics you’d like to bring up, and issues you should work through, and strategize the best methods for bringing the practices you learn in therapy back home.
Research Your Therapist and Practice of Choice
Instead of just calling the therapy practice closest to you, do some research on provisors in your area and weigh your options. Making a pros and cons list is a great way to weed out practices and find the best provider for you and your family. Depending on the types of issues you are facing as a group, the medical insurance you have, and the times in which you are able to visit a therapist, some practices will be more practical than others. You should also research reviews and certifications to ensure you are visiting a reputable, recommended therapy office.
Make an Agenda
Before showing up for your first family therapy session, be sure to make an agenda to outline the topics you’d like to cover during your appointment. Remember, it is only your first visit with the provider! This means you won’t be able to outline each nitty-gritty detail of your family history and past. Outline the top talking points you think will be important to cover with the provider, and prepare for the therapist to spend some of the time asking you questions as well.
Communicate Your Expectations
During your first session, be sure to communicate your expectations for therapy with the provider. This way, you will all be on the same page for your goals for each appointment and what you hope to get out of your efforts. Allow each member of your family to also communicate their expectations so that each and every person is able to share their voice. This will help your therapist make central goals that align with everyone’s expectations, to keep a healthy flow of communication.
Prioritize Confidentiality
Since family therapy sessions do not take on a 1-1 format, prioritizing confidentiality should be discussed before sharing any details during your session. This is an important conversation to have both at the therapy office and at home. Establishing a strong level of trust between you and your loved ones when it comes to speaking about confidential information is a crucial step to a successful therapy journey.
Set Goals and Measure Your Progress
Many times, patients wonder whether their therapy efforts have been working. To measure progress, set goals at the beginning of your first session, and communicate these with your therapist. You should all be measuring your goals and progress every 3-6 months to see if treatment plans and coping strategies have been working, or if it’s time to change things up!
Embrace The Unexpected
Last but not least, be ready to embrace the unexpected. Therapy is all about taking on new challenges to make positive changes in your life. Embracing challenges, change, and new beginnings is all part of the journey – and know that your therapist is there to guide you!
We hope this article helped you better understand how to best prepare for your first family therapy session. If your family is ready to take on therapy to strengthen bonds, work through challenges, and embrace positive change, contact Neurobehavioral Associates today.
