What to expect at your first visit

Coming to a psychologist for the first time is a big thing for most people so having a little information of what to expect can make the experience easier.

Firstly, we take pride in providing a relaxed and homely environment to help make the journey a little easier. And when you arrive, you will come to our wait room and be asked to complete some initial paperwork by one of our receptionists if you haven’t already completed everything online.

Arrive Early

It is good to arrive about 20 minutes early for your first appointment so you have plenty of time to find a park and to complete this paperwork. If you have any concerns or questions please call on 02 6684 4748.

We have coffee, filtered water, tea and a range of herbal teas available while you are waiting. 

Therapy Sessions

Therapy sessions are generally 50 minutes. If you require a longer consultation you will need to notify Mullumbimby Psychology when booking an appointment. The frequency of visits will vary between people and we can negotiate what is most suitable for you. Please do not attend under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Please refer to our Telehealth page for more information should you be requiring a Telehealth session. Please do not attend in person if you are experiencing any flu like symptoms or are required to self isolate.

Contact Hours

Our service is available 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday with limited services available outside of these hours.

Mental Health Emergencies

Should you need urgent mental health support please call the Mental Health Access line on: 1800 011 511 or go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital.

Confidentiality

When it is time for your appointment, your psychologist will come and meet you in the wait room and walk you to the room for your consultation. All our rooms are professional and soundproofed and all psychologists are required to follow a strict code of ethics which includes keeping your confidential information exactly that – confidential. Please visit our confidentiality page should you want further details.

In your first session with your psychologist they will help guide you through obtaining information about your background and the reason for your seeking therapy. This process is very different for each person and each psychologist will have their own preferred way of helping you work through the initial session. In preparing for your first session it can be helpful to think about what your goals for therapy are as well as the reasons that brought you therapy to help you explain this.

For clients with high anxiety

For clients who feel very anxious either about coming or about talking about particular events, it is important to note that you don’t have to discuss everything in the first session. Therapy is a process and it requires that you feel safe and trust your therapist. Take your time and let your therapist know if you feel uncomfortable discussing anything.

What is covered in my first session

In your first session, you and your psychologist can plan the frequency of your visits and start a treatment plan to help you work towards agreed goals together. Therapy is a team approach between you and your psychologist. Psychologists use a range of therapy tools and techniques which will be explained to you. Experienced psychologists have many tools available in their toolkits hence can help tailor therapy to suit you. Homework is a typical part of therapy as working on your goals in between sessions helps speed up your progress towards obtaining goals. For some clients, this might involve reading relevant books, for others it might be scheduling in self-care activities; it looks very different for different clients and takes your needs into account.

When therapy works well, your therapist is similar to a guide helping you understand the terrain you are navigating – they can’t take the journey for you but can help you find the right path and help you choose good paths to take and walk part of the journey with you.

Preparing Children for Their First Visit

Bringing a child to see a psychologist for the first time can feel overwhelming for both parents and children. Here’s how to help prepare your child and what to expect during their visit.

What to Tell Your Child

Be honest and age-appropriate: Explain that they’re going to meet someone whose job is to help children with their feelings, thoughts, and problems. You might say, “We’re going to visit someone who helps kids feel happier and calmer” or “This person helps children learn new ways to feel better.”

Emphasize it’s not their fault: Make it clear that seeing a psychologist doesn’t mean they’re in trouble or that anything is wrong with them. Many children benefit from talking to someone outside the family.

Focus on the helping aspect: Frame the visit positively by explaining that the psychologist is there to help them, just like a doctor helps when their body doesn’t feel well.

Address their concerns: Ask if they have any questions or worries about the visit and answer them honestly. Common concerns include whether they’ll have to talk about private things or if their parents will be in the room.

Preparing for the Visit

Arrive extra early: Plan to arrive 20-15 minutes early for your child’s first appointment to allow time for them to adjust to the new environment and complete paperwork without feeling rushed.

Bring comfort items: Your child may bring a favourite toy, book, or comfort object to help them feel more secure.

Discuss confidentiality: Explain in simple terms that what they talk about with the psychologist is private, but if they’re in danger or someone is hurting them, the psychologist might need to tell someone who can help keep them safe.

Prepare for separation: Depending on your child’s age and the psychologist’s approach, you may or may not be present during the entire session. Prepare your child for the possibility that they might spend some time alone with the psychologist. Usually, in the first session,  psychologists allow the child to settle with their carer in the room and then ask the carer to leave.

What to Expect During Your Child’s First Visit

Building rapport: The psychologist will spend time getting to know your child through play, drawing, or casual conversation. They won’t jump straight into discussing problems.

Assessment activities: Your child might be asked to draw pictures, play games, or complete simple activities that help the psychologist understand how they think and feel.

No pressure to talk: Children aren’t expected to immediately open up about difficult topics. The psychologist will follow your child’s lead and comfort level.

Parent involvement: You’ll likely be asked to provide background information about your child’s history, development, and current concerns, either before the session or while your child is engaged in activities.

Shorter sessions: First sessions with children are often shorter than the standard 50 minutes, depending on the child’s age and attention span.

Follow-up planning: The psychologist will discuss their initial observations with you and outline potential next steps, which might include regular sessions, family therapy, or referrals to other specialists.

After the First Visit

Check in with your child: Ask how they felt about the visit without pressuring them for details about what they discussed.

Normalize the experience: Remind your child that many people see psychologists and that it’s a normal part of taking care of their mental health.

Be patient: It may take several visits for your child to feel completely comfortable with their psychologist, and that’s perfectly normal.

Remember that therapy with children often involves creative approaches like art, play, and storytelling rather than traditional talking therapy. The psychologist will adapt their methods to suit your child’s developmental stage and personality.