Clients · Getting Started · 3 min
Preparing for your first appointment
You do not need to arrive ready to describe every detail of what happened. The first appointment often focuses on your concerns, history, goals, and choices.
Awaiting qualified clinical review. Educational reference; not a protocol, formal training, supervision, or individualized treatment.
Why this matters
An initial conversation gives you and the therapist time to consider needs, safety, and a working relationship.
Client-facing explanation
You can bring questions, accessibility needs, and preferences about pace. Preparation may take more than one appointment.
Clinician reference
Use this guide for shared discussion, adapting language and pacing to the person’s needs.
General sequence and discussion checklist
Optional discussion aid. Selections clear when you leave; this does not assess clinical readiness.
Practical example / documentation consideration
Conversation starter: “What would you like me to know before we choose the next step?”
References and evidence notes
These sources inform the framework and discussion. They do not independently validate these original exercises or establish that every preparation technique is necessary or effective for every client.
- EMDRIA: Experiencing EMDR Therapy
Client orientation and eight-phase overview.
