A big deal is signing up for BetterHelp therapy as the first thing you can do to improve your mental health. Right now you’re matched with a therapist based on your tastes. You may be wondering what comes next. During that first session, what should you anticipate? You’re not the only one who feels worried. Many people are scared to talk to someone new, especially about things that are very important to them. But don’t worry; your first session is designed to help you feel at ease and ease into the process.
Is BetterHelp Legit?
Before we start, let’s answer a question that many people have: Is BetterHelp real? Of course. All of BetterHelp’s therapists are fully qualified and have master’s or doctoral degrees in their fields, such as clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, or psychology. Every therapist has been working as a therapist for at least three years and 1,000 hours, and all of them go through thorough background checks. Independent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of platforms like BetterHelp in reducing depression and other mental health issues. In fact, studies from places like UC Berkeley and UCSF found that people who used BetterHelp had a lot fewer severe depressive symptoms. BetterHelp has won its spot as a trusted name in online therapy with millions of users and a wealth of favorable reviews.
Preparing for Your First Session
Whether it’s a phone call, video call, or even live chat, your first session will likely be a virtual greeting. Sometimes, your therapist will ask you to fill out forms before your session. This helps your therapist better understand your needs by providing them with background information about your mental health history, current problems, and therapy goals. You can share your thoughts ahead of time with BetterHelp messages if you find it easier to write your ideas down.
BetterHelp isn’t like traditional therapy, where you have to deal with problems like transportation or finding your way around new places. However, preparing for your session can still help set the mood. Whether it’s your favorite chair, a private area, or a spot with your device set up on a desk, find a quiet, comfortable place where you won’t be disturbed. Make sure your phone, tablet, or computer is fully charged, and check your internet link. These straightforward steps can help you feel more at ease and calm down before your session.
What Happens During the First Session?
Similar to meeting a new friend or coworker for the first time, the first BetterHelp session revolves around getting to know each other and setting the groundwork. Most likely, your therapist will start by telling you a bit about themselves and how they do therapy. Their questions might be about your life, work, family, and why you’ve decided to start therapy. The therapist may look at the forms you filled out or texts you sent ahead of time and ask you follow-up questions.
You will also have a chance to talk about what you want from therapy. These could include specific problems, such as dealing with stress or improving relationships, or more general goals, like cultivating healthy thinking patterns or finding better ways to manage stress. Your therapist will be better able to help you if you answer their questions honestly. You don’t have to talk about serious things right away.
This is a wonderful time to ask any questions you may have about BetterHelp’s prices, schedules, or other details. In addition to sessions, your therapist may suggest other things to help you, like books, papers, or routines. Don’t be surprised if you are given “homework” between sessions to help you think more deeply, like keeping track of your feelings or writing in a notebook about certain events.
Building Trust and Setting Expectations
As with any process, the first session is just the start. It’s not necessary to solve all of your problems in a single meeting. Instead, the initial session is your chance to get a feel for your therapist and see if you like their approach. In the same way, your therapist will start building trust and understanding your needs during this time. BetterHelp allows you to change doctors at no additional cost if you don’t feel like the original match is right for you.
Benefits of BetterHelp’s Format
The flexibility that BetterHelp offers is one of the things that makes it stand out. BetterHelp support includes chatting with your therapist inside the app, in addition to live sessions, which last between 30 and 45 minutes. You can contact me anytime between sessions to share news, ask questions, or get more info about something we discussed. Your therapist will get back to you as soon as they can, which is usually within 24 hours during the week.
BetterHelp also offers tools like writing prompts and access to group sessions, also known as Groupinars, where therapists talk about mental health issues like how to deal with sadness or worry. These tools add worth to your therapy journey and make it easier for you to stay involved.
Final Thoughts
Your first BetterHelp session is a chance to get to know your therapist, share your initial worries, and start making plans for your road toward mental health. BetterHelp counseling’s flexibility, accessibility, and supportive features are designed to make the process as easy and effective as possible, although it might feel strange at first. Keep in mind that therapy is a collaborative process that evolves as you and your therapist collaborate to achieve your goals. It gives you the tools to take real steps toward better mental health, whether it’s through live sessions, in-app chat, or looking at helpful resources.
