When meeting for the first time, the counselor usually needs to know some basic information such as your identity, occupation, marriage or family situation, family history and so on. Most consulting organizations will prepare a registration form for visitors' basic information. However, the consultant may ask further questions about the less detailed part of the registration form.
Next, the counselor will ask you the reason and purpose of coming, that is, what problems you have encountered and hope to get the help of the counselor. In order to better clarify and understand your troubles, the counselor will ask you about your current situation, emotions, behaviors, "symptoms" and other information, as well as their impact on all areas of your life (school/work, love or partnership, general interpersonal relationships, etc.). ).
In the first consultation, it is particularly important to understand the history of the troubles. For example, how long has depression appeared, including whether there were similar experiences and problems before this depression. If it is a behavioral difficulty, such as overeating and insomnia. Then the counselor will ask how long this behavior lasted. Asking about the history of visitors can help counselors make better judgments and evaluations. If you have ever seen a psychologist or had psychological consultation, then the relevant diagnosis, medication, treatment effect and consultation process are also very important information. It is best to let the psychological counselor know about these situations so as to make a better judgment.
According to the training background and consulting orientation of consultants, the content of discussion will vary greatly. For example, psychoanalytic orientation will ask about the family and his family, personal growth experience and so on. But generally speaking, the time for the first consultation is limited after all, and a lot of information may be slowly involved in the follow-up meeting after the initial discussion on the consulting objectives and programs.
How to better prepare for the first visit?
After all, psychological counseling is a paid service. If visitors can think of the above important questions in advance, it may improve the communication efficiency in consultation. But on the other hand, consultation is not an "interview", and there is no need for deliberate preparation, and there is no need to think too much about how to cooperate with consultants or leave a good impression on them. The true state and original appearance of visitors are of great significance to the counselor's evaluation, judgment and choice of the best treatment plan. Therefore, if you are ready to start consulting, you don't have to worry too much, present yourself truly, and you will get the good results you deserve in professional consulting.