Your First Counselling Visit
What to Expect on Your First Visit
Taking the first step toward support is a significant and courageous move. It is completely natural to feel a mix of uncertainty, nerves, or even hesitation. We believe that clarity is the best remedy for anxiety, which is why we want to pull back the curtain on the therapeutic process.
This page explains what happens before, during, and after your first appointment so you can walk in feeling prepared and at ease.
Quick Facts
A few details to help you feel more at ease before your first session:
Duration
Each session lasts 60 minutes, giving you space to speak without feeling hurried.
Format
Meet in person at our Orchard Road clinic or online by secure video. Choose what feels most comfortable for you.
Focus
We begin with what matters most to you and move at a pace that feels manageable.
Confidentiality
What you share is treated with care and kept private. The limits of confidentiality are explained clearly at the start.
Before Your First Session
1. Complete a short intake form and informed consent.
Before your first session, you will be asked to complete a brief intake form and provide informed consent. This helps your counsellor understand your background, any immediate concerns, and how counselling works, including confidentiality and its limits. Completing this in advance allows your session to begin in a steady, unhurried way.
2. Choose your session format.
Sessions are available in person at our Orchard Road space or online. If you are meeting online, choose a private, quiet space and check your device and internet connection beforehand.
3. Bring what feels helpful.
You are welcome to bring notes, questions, or topics you want to remember. There is no need to prepare. Some people find structure useful, others prefer to speak freely.
4. Arrive a little early.
Arriving a few minutes ahead of time gives you space to settle, breathe, and begin the session feeling grounded.
What Happens in the First Session
Here is what you can expect when we meet for the first time:
Welcome and Orientation
We begin by explaining how sessions work, including confidentiality and its limits. You can ask any questions. There is no pressure to share straight away.
Your Story in Your Words
You decide where to start. We listen carefully and reflect back to ensure we understand you properly. There is no right or wrong way to begin.
Clarify Goals Together
We talk about what you hope will feel different if therapy helps. We agree on a simple plan for the next few sessions, with room to adjust if needed.
Next Steps
You choose what happens after the session. You may book follow-ups, request resources, or take time to think. The pace is always yours.
Additional Guidance
If You Are New to Online Therapy
- Use headphones for privacy and clearer audio.
- Close other apps to reduce distractions.
- Have a glass of water and some tissues nearby.
If You Need Immediate Help
Our service is not an emergency service.
If you are at risk of harm, please contact local emergency services or a crisis helpline right away.
After the Session
Many clients find it useful to take a short walk or write a few notes after the first meeting. If we agreed on small tasks or reflection questions, keep them light and manageable. You can adjust the pace at any time.
If therapy feels like a good fit, we will suggest a steady rhythm to begin. Weekly or fortnightly works well for many people, and we can review the frequency as you progress.
Rescheduling and Cancellations
If you need to change an appointment, please let us know as early as possible. Cancellations or missed appointments with less than 24 hours notice may be charged the full session fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
No preparation is required. If it helps, note a few points you wish to cover, such as what brings you here and what you hope will change.
Your information is treated with care and respect. Everything shared in counselling remains confidential. We explain the limits to confidentiality at the start of your first session, including situations where disclosure may be required by law or where there are serious safety concerns.
Our practice is located in a discreet office setting in Central Singapore, offering a quiet and private environment away from busy retail spaces. Sessions are conducted in a room designed to support comfort, safety, and discretion, so you can speak openly with confidence.
Everyone is different. Some people feel lighter after the first conversation. Others notice change over several sessions.
Research suggests that the most meaningful reduction in psychological distress tends to occur after around eight counselling sessions, with clients reporting the strongest positive changes at this point (Saxon et al., 2016).
Evidence also indicates that individuals who end therapy within the first three sessions are less likely to benefit, as improvements often begin to emerge after the third session (Crago & Gardner, 2012).
We will review your progress together and adjust the plan when needed.
It is completely normal to feel uncertain about starting therapy. You do not need to be in crisis or have everything figured out to begin. Many people come simply because something feels off, overwhelming, or difficult to manage alone.
Your first session is a space to explore what is bringing you here, ask questions, and get a sense of how the process works. There is no pressure or obligation. Together, we can consider whether therapy feels helpful and appropriate for you at this point in your life.
Ready to Begin?
Choose a time that works for you. In-person or online.
If you are not ready to book, reach out with any questions.
