What to Expect in Your First Session at a Group Practice

Understanding the Process at McGarril Mental Health Counseling

Starting therapy takes courage, and the unknowns can feel intimidating. If you've never worked with a group practice before, you might wonder: Will I meet the whole team? Who decides which therapist I work with? What makes a group practice different from a solo practitioner?

At McGarril Mental Health Counseling, we've designed our process to make starting therapy as straightforward and comfortable as possible.

Before Your First Session: The Matching Process

Unlike solo practices where you either work with that one therapist or need to look elsewhere, group practices offer the advantage of thoughtful matching based on your specific needs.

Step 1: Initial Intake Form When you reach out to our practice, you'll complete a brief intake form asking about:

• What brings you to therapy (anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, life transitions)

• Your preferences for session format (in-person in Midtown or telehealth)

• Insurance and budget considerations

• Any specific needs or concerns (therapist gender preference, specialized experience, etc.)

Step 2: Clinical Director Review Our clinical director personally reviews each intake form—this isn't an automated algorithm. They consider:

• The specific issues you want to address

• Each therapist's specialties and training

• Therapeutic style and approach

• Current availability

• Your stated preferences

This personalized matching is one of the key benefits of a group practice. Rather than hoping a solo therapist is a good fit, you're deliberately matched with someone whose expertise aligns with your needs.

Step 3: Free 15-Minute Consultation Before committing to a full session, you'll have a brief phone or video consultation with your matched therapist. This is your chance to:

• Get a feel for their communication style

• Ask questions about their approach

• Discuss logistics (fees, scheduling, cancellation policy)

• Determine if you feel comfortable moving forward

This consultation is pressure-free. If it doesn't feel like the right fit, we can match you with a different therapist.

What Happens in Your Actual First Session

Once you've completed your consultation and scheduled your first session, here's what to expect:

Logistics (5-10 minutes)

• Completing consent forms and privacy documentation

• Confirming contact information and payment details

• Discussing the cancellation policy and session structure

• Reviewing confidentiality and its limits

Many practices now handle this paperwork digitally before the session, maximizing your time together.

Getting to Know You (20-30 minutes) Your therapist will ask about:

Your Background: Where you grew up, family structure, significant relationships, major life events. This context helps your therapist understand you as a whole person.

Current Life Situation: Your living situation, work, relationships, daily routines. This paints a picture of your current reality and stressors.

What Brought You In: The specific concerns or changes you're hoping to address. Your therapist will ask detailed questions to understand not just what's happening, but how it's affecting you.

Exploring Your Goals (10-15 minutes) Together, you'll discuss:

• What would feel different if therapy is successful?

• What does "better" look like for you?

• Any previous therapy experiences (what helped, what didn't)

• Your preferences for how you want to work together

Initial Treatment Planning (10-15 minutes) Your therapist will share:

• Their initial thoughts on what might be helpful

• Potential therapeutic approaches they might use

• Recommended session frequency (weekly, biweekly)

• What you can expect in upcoming sessions

First sessions are primarily about gathering information and building initial rapport. You probably won't dive deep into processing trauma or intense emotions—that comes later once safety and trust are established.

What Makes Group Practices Different

Consistency with Flexibility While you'll work primarily with your matched therapist, group practices offer advantages:

Coverage During Absences: If your regular therapist is sick or on vacation, another clinician can provide coverage for urgent needs.

Specialized Support: If a specific issue arises that's outside your therapist's specialty, they can consult with colleagues who have relevant expertise.

Multiple Perspectives: Your therapist has built-in consultation with other skilled clinicians, meaning you benefit from collective wisdom.

Shared Standards and Values At McGarril Mental Health Counseling, all our therapists:

• Are committed to trauma-informed, evidence-based care

• Engage in ongoing training and supervision

• Share core values around creating inclusive, judgement-free spaces

• Participate in regular case consultation

This means you get individualized care within a framework of quality standards.

Common First Session Questions

"What if I don't connect with my matched therapist?" The therapeutic relationship is crucial to effective therapy. If after 2-3 sessions you're not feeling connected, speak up. We can match you with a different therapist. This isn't a failure—finding the right fit sometimes takes adjustment.

"How much should I share in the first session?" Share what feels comfortable. You don't need to tell your whole life story immediately. Therapy unfolds gradually, and trust builds over time. Some people prefer jumping right in; others need several sessions to feel safe opening up. Both approaches are fine.

"Will my therapist judge me?" Therapists are trained to create non-judgmental spaces and have genuinely heard it all. What feels shameful or overwhelming to you is likely something your therapist has helped many people navigate. Our job is understanding, not judging.

"What if I cry or get emotional?" This is completely normal and expected. Therapists have tissues and are comfortable with emotions. Many people worry about crying in front of a stranger, but it often marks the beginning of feeling safe enough to be vulnerable.

"Do I need to prepare anything?" No special preparation needed. Some people find it helpful to jot down thoughts about what they want to address, but it's not required. Come as you are.

After Your First Session

Following your initial session, your therapist will typically:

• Send a session summary email confirming your next appointment

• Provide any recommended resources or homework (if relevant)

• Make notes for themselves about treatment planning

You might feel:

• Relief at finally starting to address your concerns

• Exhaustion from being vulnerable

• Hope about the possibility of change

• Uncertainty about whether you shared "enough"

All these reactions are normal. Give yourself credit for taking this important step.

Our Commitment to Your Experience

At McGarril Mental Health Counseling, we view therapy as a collaborative journey. From your first contact through ongoing treatment, we're committed to:

• Transparent communication about all aspects of therapy

• Matching you thoughtfully with the right clinician

• Creating a safe, inclusive space for your healing

• Adjusting our approach based on your feedback and needs

The first session is just the beginning. While it may feel a bit formal or surface-level, it lays the foundation for the deeper work ahead. Each session builds on the last, and most clients find that therapy becomes more comfortable and valuable as trust develops.

Taking the First Step

Starting therapy at a group practice offers benefits that solo practitioners can't provide: specialized matching, collective expertise, and flexibility. At McGarril Mental Health Counseling, our "Find-Your-Fit" process ensures you're not just assigned to whoever has availability—you're thoughtfully matched with a therapist who has the training and style to support your specific needs.

The hardest part is often reaching out. Once you do, our team handles the rest, making the process as smooth and welcoming as possible.

Ready to get started? Contact McGarril Mental Health Counseling to complete your intake form and begin the matching process. Your first step toward feeling better starts with a simple message.