Starting therapy is often a quiet decision. It usually comes after some time of carrying things on your own and realizing that something feels heavier than it used to. By the time someone books that first appointment, they have often been thinking about it for a while.
That first session can bring mixed emotions. Relief. Hesitation. A bit of nervousness. You might wonder what will happen when you sit down. Will it feel uncomfortable? Will you be expected to talk about everything all at once? What if your mind goes blank?
These are very common concerns. I see them often in first sessions.
The first conversation is not about pushing into the hardest parts of your life. It is about slowing down and understanding what has brought you here. We start with what feels present right now. What has been weighing on you? What feels stuck? What are you hoping might shift?
You do not need to have your story organized. You do not need to explain it perfectly. Often we begin simply by talking, and as we talk, things start to make more sense. Patterns become clearer. Words come more easily than you expected.
Many people believe therapy is only for moments of crisis. In reality, people come when anxiety has quietly taken up more space in their lives. When irritability is affecting relationships. When sleep has not felt restful for a long time. Or when there is simply a sense that something inside feels unsettled.
You do not need to convince anyone that your struggle is serious enough. If it matters to you, it matters.
As we get to know each other, I also listen for the bigger context of your life. The experiences that shaped you. The ways you learned to cope. The supports you have, and the ones you may need more of. This helps us move forward in a way that feels thoughtful rather than rushed.
If EMDR feels like it could be helpful, we talk about it carefully. We begin by making sure you feel steady and supported before moving into deeper trauma work. There is no pressure to move faster than feels comfortable. Therapy is not something that happens to you. It is something we move through together.
If trauma is part of your story, you may notice your body reacts quickly to stress. You might feel on edge even when you know you are safe. You might shut down, struggle to sleep, or react more strongly than you would like. There is nothing broken about you. These responses developed for a reason. They helped you get through something.
With steady support, those patterns can begin to soften. Approaches such as EMDR can help your brain process difficult experiences so they feel less immediate and less overwhelming. The goal is not to erase your history. It is to help it feel like it belongs in the past rather than the present.
Whether you meet with me in Strathroy, London, or virtually anywhere in Ontario, my hope is that you feel a sense of steadiness in the room. A place where you do not need to perform, explain yourself perfectly, or hold everything together.
You do not have to see the whole path ahead. You only have to take the first step.
If you are considering therapy and have questions, you are welcome to reach out. Even that first conversation can make beginning feel a little less daunting.
Healing does not mean becoming someone different. It means gently reconnecting with yourself.