Taking the step toward therapy is a powerful and personal milestone. For residents of Braeside and nearby Mordialloc, connecting with a local psychologist offers both convenience and a sense of community support. In this guide, we'll walk you through what typically happens during your first session with a Braeside psychologist or a psychologist in Mordialloc, helping you arrive prepared, comfortable, and ready to take the next step.

Why the First Appointment Matters

Your initial session is about building trust, understanding your needs, and laying the groundwork for meaningful therapy. It’s usually structured as an intake or assessment appointment, focused on getting to know your story and assessing how best to help you, without delving deeply into sensitive issues right away psychologytoday.com+2thebizmagazine.com+2psychologytoday.com+2.

Whether you choose a therapist in Braeside or nearby Mordialloc, this session sets the tone for your therapeutic journey and empowers you to make an informed decision about whether it’s the right match.

1. Warm Welcome and Office Introduction

After you arrive—be it at the Braeside psychologist’s office on Boundary Road or a welcoming practice in Mordialloc—you’ll be greeted in a friendly, private setting. You may complete initial paperwork either in advance or during your visit, covering confidentiality, fees, session length, and insurance or Medicare options .

Look out for cozy waiting areas and a calm, professional atmosphere—the hallmark of practices like Felicity Psychology in Braeside and Everbloom in Mordialloc au.linkedin.com+3psychologytoday.com+3thebizmagazine.com+3.

2. Clarifying Confidentiality and Logistics

Your psychologist—whether in Braeside or Mordialloc—will explain their privacy policy, including situations where confidentiality might legally need to be broken (e.g., risk of harm to self or others). They’ll also walk you through practical details like:

• Session fees and the possibility of rebates (e.g., Medicare, private insurance)

• Cancellation policies

• Session format: in-person or telehealth thebizmagazine.comyourhealthinmind.orgpsychologytoday.com.

This transparency helps build trust and alleviate anxiety about the practical aspects of therapy.

3. Sharing Your Story and Presenting Concerns

The core of the intake session is centered on your story:

• Your reason for seeking help

• Duration and intensity of symptoms (anxiety, depression, stress)

• Impact on daily life, work, or relationships au.linkedin.com+11thebizmagazine.com+11time.com+11.

Expect open-ended questions like “What brings you here today?” and “What would you like to achieve through therapy?” Your responses offer valuable insight for both you and the psychologist as you set the stage for collaboration thebizmagazine.com.

4. Gathering Personal and Supportive Background

Your psychologist will gather relevant personal, medical, and family history for a holistic understanding of your situation. Topics may include:

• Medication or existing diagnoses

• Past medical or mental health treatments

• Support systems and daily routines

• Work, education, lifestyle, and stressors psychcentral.com+2thebizmagazine.com+2yourhealthinmind.org+2.

This information helps tailor the therapeutic approach to your unique context and needs.

5. Discussing Therapeutic Approach and Tools

During your first session, expect to explore the therapist’s methods—whether they use CBT, ACT, psychodynamic therapy, schema therapy, or trauma-informed approaches. For example:

• Felicity Sayers (Braeside psychologist) offers a diverse blend of evidence-based therapies such as CBT, ACT, psychodynamic work, schema therapy, somatic and trauma-informed approaches thebizmagazine.comthebizmagazine.com+3psychologytoday.com+3psychologytoday.com+3.

• Angella Katheklakis (psychologist in Mordialloc) practices an integrative, neurodiversity-affirming approach, including schema therapy, DBT, and positive psychology psychologytoday.com+4psychologytoday.com+4psychologytoday.com+4.

Understanding how your psychologist works allows you to gauge compatibility and set realistic expectations for progress.

6. Identifying Initial Goals

Together with your psychologist, you'll outline key therapeutic goals. This might involve managing anxiety symptoms, building coping strategies for stress, processing grief, or improving relationships drtaji.com+3thebizmagazine.com+3verywellmind.com+3.

Goal-setting helps anchor your therapeutic journey and provides a framework for tracking progress over time.

7. Planning and Next Steps

Before concluding the session, your psychologist will guide you on what comes next:

• Recommended frequency of sessions (weekly, fortnightly)

• Homework or practical exercises, if using CBT or ACT techniques

• Scheduling follow-up appointment

• Emergency support options or mid-session contact rules time.com.

They’ll also check in to ensure you felt comfortable and understood—a critical gauge for constructive collaboration .

8. Common Emotions You Might Feel During Your First Session

It’s perfectly normal to feel a spectrum of emotions—nervousness, relief, hope, or hesitation. Your psychologist understands this and aims to create a safe space, honoring your pace in sharing thebizmagazine.com.

What matters is feeling heard and respected—essential ingredients in building trust and therapeutic rapport.

9. Choosing Between a Braeside or Mordialloc Psychologist

Where you choose to attend impacts your experience:

• Braeside psychologist: Great for residents seeking local expertise with convenient access, like Felicity Sayers on Boundary Road psychcentral.com+4thebizmagazine.com+4familypsychnj.com+4au.linkedin.com+3psychologytoday.com+3thebizmagazine.com+3.

• psychologist in Mordialloc: Offers diverse therapeutic styles and flexible scheduling options—like evening and weekend sessions available through practitioners like Angella .

Either way, you’re near skilled professionals equipped to support your well-being.

10. Tips to Maximise Your First Appointment

To make the most of your session:

• Reflect on your reasons for seeking support ahead of time .

• Write down any questions about therapy structure, fees, or confidentiality psychologytoday.com+13verywellmind.com+13self.com+13.

• Consider your preferred therapy frequency and style (in-person vs. online).

• Take notes during or after the session, noting key insights and actions reddit.com+9psychcentral.com+9time.com+9familypsychnj.com+2time.com+2thebizmagazine.com+2.

• Be open to feedback—and feel empowered to voice concerns or adjust direction over time thebizmagazine.com+4psychcentral.com+4psychologytoday.com+4.

Final Thoughts

Your first appointment with a Braeside psychologist or psychologist in Mordialloc is about connection, clarity, and collaboration. It's a chance to share your story, understand the therapeutic path ahead, and begin building a relationship based on trust and respect.

What happens during that first session can echo throughout your therapy journey. Scheduling time, being prepared, and engaging openly will help create a strong foundation for genuine growth and transformation.

If you’d like help drafting questions to ask, prepping notes ahead of your session, or finding the right local psychologist, I’d be more than happy to assist!