What Happens When I Book in for Therapy?
Many people fall into the trap of thinking they should be able to cope on their own — that needing support somehow means they’ve failed. In truth, reaching out for help is one of the bravest and most compassionate things you can do for yourself. It takes courage to pause, reflect, and say, “Something isn’t quite right, and I’d like to understand it better.”
Starting therapy can feel daunting. Here, Dr Naomi Coleman, a Clinical Psychologist specialising in mind–body medicine, answers common questions about what to expect and how to begin your therapy journey.
“How Will I Know What to Say or Work On?”
Your Initial Consultation
The first session should be a space to begin understanding what’s brought you to therapy — gently and at your own pace. Some arrive wanting to get things off their chest, while others prefer more guidance or structure.
Together, you and your therapist collaborate to find a balance that feels comfortable for you. Together you’ll think about your hopes for therapy, what you’d like to be different, and how therapy can best support you. This first meeting often involves identifying themes, patterns, and priorities — but there’s no pressure to have all the answers.
This is a confidential, skilled, and non-judgemental space. The therapists role is to help you make sense of your experiences and emotions within the broader context of your life — not to diagnose or label, but to understand.
“Will My Therapist Think I’m Silly, Overreacting, or a Hypochondriac?”
This is one of the most common worries people share. Many fear their thoughts or feelings are “too much,” “too strange,” or “not serious enough.”
Please know that nothing you bring to therapy is too big or too small. Everything you’re feeling has a story and a context. A therapists role is to help you explore those feelings safely — to understand why they make sense given what you’ve lived through, and to find ways of easing the distress they may cause.
“My Problems Aren’t Bad Enough”
Sometimes people delay therapy because they feel they “should” cope. They compare their lives to others’ and conclude that others have it worse — so they don’t deserve help.
But therapy isn’t only for crises. It’s for anyone who wants to live with more clarity, balance, and self-understanding. You don’t need to hit rock bottom to start.
“Am I Worth It? Therapy Feels Expensive — and I’m Not Sure I Have the Time.”
It’s completely natural to hesitate when it comes to investing in your wellbeing — whether that’s the cost of sessions or the time it takes to show up for yourself each week. Many people find it hard to justify setting aside this space. Life feels full enough already, and the thought of adding another commitment can feel impossible.
But therapy is not selfish or wasted time — it’s essential time. It’s a space that allows everything else in your life to work more smoothly. When you prioritise your emotional health, you often find that your relationships, energy levels, and focus improve too. By slowing down for an hour a week, you may begin to move through life with greater ease and clarity.
You are absolutely worth the investment — both financially and in time. Therapy is a commitment to yourself and to the kind of life you want to build: one that feels balanced, aligned with your values, and more grounded in self-compassion.
Over my 20+ years as a clinical psychologist specialising in mind–body medicine, I’ve seen how even small, consistent acts of self-care can create profound change. This hour a week isn’t just “another thing to fit in”; it’s a space to breathe, to process, and to reconnect with who you are — so you can bring your best self to the people and things that matter most.
“Do I Have to Talk About My Childhood?”
In therapy, you and your therapist explore the context that’s shaped your current experiences. Many of our beliefs, habits, and emotional patterns are influenced by early relationships and family dynamics. Sometimes we continue living out these patterns without realising it; therapy helps bring awareness and choice.
We might look at the values and ideas you’ve carried forward from your family, culture, or faith — what you’d like to keep, and what you might want to gently re-shape. It’s not about blame it’s about understanding how your past influences your present and allows us to make sense of your symptoms, and to support lasting change in a compassionate, grounded way.
“What about therapy for a young person?”
As a clinical psychologist with a particular specialism and interest in supporting children, adolescents and young adults I know these are pivotal years for emotional and neurological development. Therapy at this stage for young people can be transformative — helping build resilience, self-esteem, and healthy coping skills.
Depending on the situation, your therapist may work with parents alongside the young person, offering joint or review sessions when appropriate. The aim is always to support the young person’s independence while maintaining a nurturing, consistent environment around them.
Taking the First Step
Reaching out for therapy isn’t about weakness — it’s about strength, courage, and care. It’s about recognising that life sometimes feels overwhelming, and that you deserve the same compassion you’d offer a friend.
You don’t have to have everything figured out before you start. The first step is simply being open to a conversation.
If you’d like to explore how you can get help, you can reach out to your GP who should know of local NHS and independent services available in your area.
You can also search for a local Chartered Clinical Psychologist via the British Psychological Society website https://portal.bps.org.uk/Psychologist-Search/Directory-of-Chartered-Psychologists
You can check the HCPC website to check the psychologist you see is registered https://www.hcpc-uk.org/check-the-register/.
For counsellors and psychotherapists you can check the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) website https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-us/protecting-the-public/bacp-register/ .
For CBT therapists you can check the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) website. https://babcp.com/
This article was written by Dr. Naomi Coleman
Clinical Psychologist & Founder, Mind Body Medicine Consultancy, Elstree, Hertfordshire
Supporting emotional wellbeing through a compassionate, integrative, and evidence-based approach.
To reach out to Dr Naomi to get in touch or arrange an initial consultation please do so via her website www.mindbodymedicineconsultancy.co.uk. Together, we can begin the process of understanding, healing, and helping you reconnect with the life you want to live.