What to Expect at Your First Therapy Session in Laguna Beach

What happens before the first session at Third Street Counseling?

Everything starts with a free consult. You reach out through the contact form or by phone, and we schedule a short call. That call is about fit: we learn what is going on, you learn how we work, and we match you with the clinician who fits. There is no paperwork to fill out before this call, and no commitment to continue.

What does the first session look like?

The first session runs about 50 minutes at our Laguna Beach office or by telehealth. Your clinician reviews the practice policies, answers your questions, and begins to understand what brought you in. You set the pace. If you are not ready to talk about something, you do not have to.

For adults and young adults

The first session is a conversation. Your clinician asks questions to understand your situation and what you want from individual therapy. You can share as much or as little as you are comfortable with.

For children and teens

Parents are part of the process from the first free consult. The first session balances building trust with your child and gathering context from you. The level of parent involvement is calibrated to the child's age and needs, which is central to our child therapy and teen therapy approach.

What should you bring to the first session?

Bring yourself and any questions you have. If you have been in therapy before and want to share what worked or did not, that is helpful but not required. There is no intake packet to complete in advance.

What happens after the first session?

You and your clinician talk about whether to schedule a next session and what the plan might look like. There is no pressure to decide on the spot. If it is not a fit, we will help you find someone who is, here or elsewhere.

Reviewed by David Lindquist, LMFT