What to Expect When Starting Counselling in Manchester

Thinking about starting counselling can feel like a big step, and it’s perfectly normal to feel nervous or unsure about it. At Ian Watts Counselling in Manchester, my goal is to make this journey as smooth as possible for you. Whether you’re searching for a “therapist near me” or a “counsellor near me,” you’re already on your way to improving your well-being. Let me guide you through what you can expect when you take that first step into therapy.

It’s Normal to Feel Nervous

Most people feel some level of anxiety before their first therapy session. You might wonder if you’ll click with your therapist, whether it will be hard to open up, or even if it will really help you. Let me reassure you: it’s okay to have these thoughts. In fact, feeling nervous is a natural response to starting something new, especially something as personal as therapy.

In my practice, I understand that coming to counselling can feel intimidating, and I work to create a warm and welcoming space. Many clients feel a mix of emotions—even crying during the first session is quite common. Therapy is a safe space for you to let go of any bottled-up feelings. Whatever you bring to the session, it’s okay. I’m here to make you feel at ease.

What to Expect in Your First Counselling Session

Your first therapy session is all about getting to know each other. We’ll start by going over some basic details—like your name, address, and date of birth—and then I’ll tell you a bit about myself and the type of therapy I offer. The core of our first conversation will be about what brought you to therapy and what you want to get out of it.

Here are a few things you can expect from our first meeting:

• Confidentiality: I’ll outline the limits of confidentiality, so you know how your information will be handled.
• History Taking: We’ll discuss your background—personal, medical, and psychological—to get a better understanding of your journey.
• Note Taking: I may take some notes, and that’s simply to help me understand your story more deeply.
• Setting Expectations: We’ll talk about how therapy works, including session length, fees, and how often we’ll meet.
• Your Questions: You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and share any worries you might have about therapy.

How to Make the Most Out of Therapy

To get the best out of therapy, it can help to reflect on your goals before your first session. Ask yourself:

• What brought you to therapy?
• Do you have specific worries or challenges you want to address?
• What do you hope to achieve from counselling?

Remember, you don’t need to have all the answers. Many people come to therapy with general feelings of unease or simply wanting to understand themselves better. Whether you have a clear issue in mind or just want to explore your thoughts and feelings, I’m here to help.

Therapy Takes Time

The first session can feel like a mix of different emotions, and it might not feel “perfect” right away—that’s okay. Therapy is a process. The first meeting is about getting a general sense of what’s going on and seeing if we’re a good fit. As we continue, things tend to get clearer, and each session helps build more focus on your goals.

Behind the scenes, I reflect on our conversations and discuss my practice with a supervisor (as is standard for all accredited therapists). This supervision helps ensure that I provide the highest quality support to help you meet your therapy goals.

Ready to Start Your Journey?

If you’ve been searching online for a “therapist near me” or a “counsellor near me,” then you’re in the right place. Therapy can help you better understand your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours—often achieved through counselling—and it can lead to meaningful changes in your life. The first step is often the hardest, but you don’t have to take it alone.

If you’re ready to take that first step, or if you just want to ask a few questions and learn more about what therapy could look like for you, get in touch with me at Ian Watts Counselling. I’d love to help you on your journey towards feeling better, one step at a time. You might also find the BACP Starting Therapy Guide useful as you begin.

Take a deep breath. You’re already moving in the right direction, and when you’re ready, I’m here to help.

For more articles on mental health please see the rest of my blog here.