Things Your Therapist Wants You to Know Before Your First Appointment
Starting therapy is a brave and meaningful step—but we know it can also feel intimidating. You might be wondering:
“What will we talk about?”
“Do I have to share everything right away?”
“What if I don’t know where to begin?”
If any of that sounds familiar, take a deep breath. You’re not alone—and we’ve got you. At Flourish Wellness Collective, we want you to feel safe, seen, and empowered from the very first session. Here are a few things your therapist wants you to know before your first appointment:
1. You don’t have to have it all figured out.
Seriously—this isn't a job interview. You don’t need a polished explanation, a timeline of events, or a formal diagnosis. You just need to show up. Whether you're anxious, overwhelmed, stuck, or just thinking, "What even IS therapy?"—we’ll meet you right there, messy thoughts and all.
2. You set the pace.
No pressure to unpack your life story in session one. We’re not speedrunning your trauma. Therapy is about building trust, not spilling your guts on a timer. We’ll go at a pace that feels good (or at least not terrifying) to you.
3. It’s okay to feel nervous (or even skeptical).
Thinking, “What if I cry?” or “What if I don’t cry?” or “What if this is just weird?” Totally normal. New things are hard—especially when they involve feelings and eye contact. The good news? You can bring all that into therapy too. Nothing is too weird. (We’ve heard it all. Promise.)
4. We’re not here to judge.
We’re not going to gasp at your choices or hand you a report card on your life. Therapy is a “no judgment zone”—kind of like a yoga class, but with fewer stretchy pants and more emotional flexibility. We’re here to support you, not to fix or criticize you.
5. You can ask questions—about anything.
Not sure what a “processing moment” is? Wondering if your therapist has snacks (we wish)? Curious what happens if you sit in silence the whole time? Ask away. Therapy doesn’t come with a user manual, but we’re happy to help you figure it out as we go.
6. It’s okay if it takes time to feel connected.
Therapy is kind of like dating… without the awkward small talk and coffee shop meetups. Sometimes it clicks right away. Sometimes it takes a few tries. And sometimes, you find out it’s not the right match—and that’s okay too. You deserve someone who gets you.
7. This space is for you.
You don’t have to take care of anyone else in here. You don’t have to hold it together or say the “right” thing. Bring your unfiltered, emotional, tired, awkward self. We’ll take you as you are—even if you’re crying and making jokes at the same time (relatable).
Let’s Take the First Step Together!
If you’ve been thinking about starting therapy, we’re here to make that first step feel a little less scary and a lot more supported. At Flourish Wellness Collective, we specialize in compassionate, holistic care for the real-life challenges you face—from anxiety and trauma to postpartum transitions and relationship stress. We offer therapy in Wichita, KS and via telehealth across Kansas. Whether you’re a first-time therapy client or returning after a break, we’re honored to walk with you on this journey.
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