Oct 5, 2026 · @Kate Page
For a lot of people, the hardest part of therapy happens before it even starts. It's the moment of deciding to get in touch, often after months (or years) of thinking about it.
Part of what makes it hard is not knowing what you're walking into. So I want to take some of the mystery out of it, and tell you honestly what a first session with me might look like.
Before we meet
We begin with a free 15-minute phone call. There's no commitment, and you don't need to explain everything, this is simply a chance for you to hear my voice, ask any questions, and get a sense of whether we might be the right fit for each other.
If you'd like to go ahead, we'll arrange a time for your first session. I'll send you a few practical details beforehand, including the therapy contract, where to find me, or a link if we're meeting online. That way you're not worrying about logistics on the day.
The session itself
A session lasts 50 minutes.
I'll ask what's brought you to therapy now, and a bit about your life and what you're hopes are for the therapy. Some people arrive knowing exactly what they want to talk about. Others sit down and say, "I don't really know where to start." Both are completely fine. Not knowing is often where the work begins.
The session is also for you to get a feel for me. Do you feel comfortable? Can you imagine talking to me about harder things? The relationship between us matters more than any technique or theory I might know, so it's worth paying attention to how it feels.
Confidentiality and our agreement
We'll spend a little time on the practical side. I'll explain how confidentiality works: what you share with me stays between us. The rare exceptions are if I'm seriously worried about your safety or someone else's, or if the law requires it. I'll explain exactly what that means, so there are no surprises.
We'll also go through a simple written agreement covering things like session times, fees and cancellations. As a member of the BACP, I work within their Ethical Framework, and I have regular clinical supervision. This is standard good practice, and it's there to protect you.
If anything isn't clear, please ask. There's no such thing as a silly question.
Afterwards
People leave a first session feeling all sorts of things. Some feel lighter, as if they've finally put something down. Others feel tired, unsettled or a bit raw, especially if they've said things out loud for the first time. All of that is normal. It can help to give yourself a little breathing space afterwards rather than rushing straight back into the day.
If you'd like to continue, we'll usually agree a regular weekly time. Having the same day and time each week gives the work a steady rhythm. However, if you need to have flexible times to fit around your work commitments we can certainly help with this. If you decide I'm not the right fit, that's absolutely fine too. Finding the right therapist matters, and I'm happy to signpost you to other options.
When you're ready
You don't have to be in crisis to come to therapy, and you don't have to have it all figured out. Wanting to understand yourself a bit better is reason enough.
If you've been thinking about it, I'd be glad to hear from you. You can book a free 15-minute call by phoning 07930 600901 or emailing hello@katepagetherapy.co.uk.
Kate Page, Integrative Counsellor MBACP, Cornwall