It’s normal to feel a little awkward or weird about starting therapy. It’s a totally new experience, and like anything new, it’s hard to know what to expect. Whether you’re feeling excited, nervous, unsure, or a little dreadful, learning about what happens in therapy may help you feel a bit more comfortable getting started.
Most generally, therapy offers a safe space for you to talk openly about your experiences, get to know yourself better, and learn additional ways of coping with the hard stuff in life. We want to get to know you, without judgment and at your own pace, and we want to support you.
The first few sessions are about getting to know each other. Your therapist will help guide the conversation as much or as little as you need. They want to know who you are and how you are. They’ll likely ask about your interests and hobbies, friendships, family, pets, school life, and home life. They’ll ask about what life’s like for you, what led you to decide to start therapy, and what you hope it’ll help with. Maybe you want help with anxiety, school stress, friendships, family stuff, or your mood. Maybe you’re not sure what’s wrong, you just don’t feel like yourself, and that’s okay, too. The beauty of therapy is that it also helps you understand yourself better, too.
Whether you lean more into being an “open book” or “closed book,” we’ll accept you as you are. You can talk and share as much or as little as you’d like. Your therapist understands that, at first, they’re a stranger to you. They get that it can take time to feel comfortable opening up, so they’ll work at the pace that feels right for you.
In therapy, you can talk about whatever you want – the “normal” day-to-day stuff, as well as things that maybe you’ve never voiced out loud. Therapy is a space where you can talk openly and honestly without having to filter what you say or mask who you are. There’s no “right” or “wrong” thing to say in therapy. Your therapist is curious, caring, and on your side. They won’t judge you, lecture you, or tell you what to do. Rather, they work together with you to understand what’s going on and what might help.
Therapy helps people in a lot of different ways. Simply the experience of feeling heard, deeply understood, and cared for by your therapist can be helpful and healing. Therapy also involves learning and practicing skills to help regulate emotions, cope with stressful situations, and navigate relationships in healthy ways. Through therapy, you get to know your brain (thoughts) and body (emotions and feelings) better and learn to live more comfortably and lovingly with yourself. That might involve working on self-compassion, stress management, shifting your internal dialogue and working through difficult thoughts, changing certain behaviors, setting boundaries, or expressing your emotions.
Importantly, therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Therapy involves talking, of course, but it also might involve art, movement, creative writing, or playing. Each therapist tailors the process to your unique self – your needs, personality, and goals. You also get a say in who your therapist is! Take a look at our therapist bios to see who might feel like a good fit for you.
The truth is, there are people who care and who will be happy you’ve come to them.
267 Runnymede Rd,
Toronto, ON, M6S 2Y5
374 Danforth Ave. 2nd Floor
Toronto, ON, M4K 1N8
Monday to Thursday
11am - 8pm
Friday
10am to 7pm
Saturday and Sunday
10am - 6pm
Book An Appointment Now
Stay up to date with blogs, news and resources at the Toronto Counselling Centre for Teens
Stay up to date with blogs, news and resources at the Toronto Counselling Centre for Teens
267 Runnymede Rd,
Toronto, ON, M6S 2Y5
374 Danforth Ave. 2nd Floor
Toronto, ON, M4K 1N8
