We call it our "Getting to Know You" session

Your first therapy session is the beginning of your healing journey — and we treat it as a time to truly get to know you. Our goal is to create a safe, welcoming space where you can begin to share your story and what brings you to therapy.

What We’ll Talk About

During this session, your therapist will ask questions to learn more about:

• The symptoms or challenges you’re currently experiencing

• Your personal and family history

• Your upbringing and any significant life experiences

• Your goals and hopes for therapy

We know these topics can feel vulnerable — and we go at your pace. You're always in control of how much you share.

Why These Questions Matter

This information, along with any assessment tools we use, helps us better understand your experience and determine an appropriate diagnosis — which is often required by insurance companies.

Just like a visit to your doctor, mental health care is part of the medical model. That means we gather your symptoms, assess what's going on, and use that information to guide treatment.

What Comes Next

After your initial session, future sessions will focus on:

• Processing your experiences

• Building insight and awareness

• Healing past wounds

• Developing practical tools to manage symptoms

• Working toward your personal treatment goals

Therapy is a collaborative process — and we’ll walk alongside you each step of the way.

Have Questions?

You're not expected to have everything figured out. We're here to support you, wherever you are in your journey. If you’re ready to begin or want to learn more, feel free to hello@arhaeahopecom or visit our FAQ page for more information.