​​Straight Up Psychology

David Fillmore   Registered Psychologist

What Should I Expect?

We understand that people seeking help from a psychologist wish to make positive changes in their lives. And while it can be exciting to take the first steps, the prospect of making changes may also seem daunting. Some clients may try to talk themselves out of changing what they know, or attempt to sabotage the process by constantly raising doubt. Others might make excuses and miss appointments.

It can help to ask yourself what changes you would like to make in your life, and what they would mean to you. Therapy can often involve talking about difficult or painful issues, but it can also provide a safe and regular space for you to talk about and explore these issues. Your therapist won't usually give advice, but will help you find your own insights into and understanding of your problems.

We try to make this process as simple as possible. We want you to feel calm, confident and taken care of, knowing that you will be in a comfortable, completely confidential setting with an experienced professional who treats you with respect, helps you feel at ease and engages you deeply in the process. A lot will be going through your mind, particularly during you first session. Be open and honest with your psychologist. Listen to your own reactions and feelings and share them. You will both learn from these insights. And ask questions. The more you understand about the experience or how the process works, the more comfortable you’ll be. You can also ask your therapist to repeat anything you don’t understand.

We work hard to ensure that our clients have the best possible start and make continued progress in their therapy. But remember to have realistic expectations. Therapy is not a quick fix for your problem, rather it is a process. In most cases, it takes a number of sessions before the counselling starts to make a difference, and a regular commitment is required to make the best use of the therapy. But with the help of your therapist, you should gradually start to feel better.

Your First Visit

At your first appointment you will complete a process of “informed consent”. This is an ethical obligation where you will be informed about your rights of confidentiality, the privacy of your records, and any future correspondence with your GP.

Your therapist will explain their policies about attendance, cancellation, fees and payment options etc. You will also be asked to complete a form detailing some basic background information about yourself (name, date of birth, address, phone number, doctor).

At some point your psychologist will do a risk assessment with you in order to determine your current level of psychological distress and help them better understand some of the reasons you may be seeking help./areas in which you need help.

In order to provide the most appropriate treatment for you, your psychologist will need to gain a thorough understanding of the difficulties you have been experiencing. During the first session this usually involves talking about when and how your symptoms developed, as well as a discussion about any steps you may have already taken to alleviate the problem. The psychologist may also ask questions about your personal history (e.g., work, education, family, relationships, etc).

This first session is about learning about you, what brought you to therapy, and what you would like to get out of therapy. Based on this information, your psychologist can work with you to develop a flexible treatment plan that will work best for you.

And if you have any questions, ask them. Don’t forget that therapy is about you. Our job (as therapists) is to guide you to where you want to go.