Typical Therapy Questions

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October 25
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I am having my first therapy session next week. What are some of the typical questions that I can expect to be asked?

4 Answers:

hypernova54 avatar

The first session is the “getting to know you” stage. The therapist will ask you about your history (childhood), relationships with your family, friends and significant other, your present situation, etc. He’ll also ask about what brought you to therapy, your symptoms and what do you feel is wrong in your life. From your answers to those questions, he’ll be able to analyze how to proceed.

If you want specific questions for you to lessen your anxiety about your first therapy session, you can check this article out. 

Lifeisgood avatar

Going to therapy can be an intimidating experience, especially if it's your first time. It's natural to feel anxious or overwhelmed when you're about to enter a new environment and talk about yourself. To help ease the nerves, it's important to know what types of questions you can expect in a therapy session. As therapists are trained in helping their clients with mental health issues, they will typically ask questions related to your life experiences, emotions, and goals for the future.

During your first therapy session, the therapist is likely to ask you a number of questions in order to get a better understanding of your current concerns and issues, as well as your overall mental health history. Some common questions that you may be asked during your first therapy session include:

What brings you to therapy at this time?

What are your current concerns or issues?

Have you ever received therapy or counseling before?

What has been helpful or unhelpful in the past?

What are your strengths and resources?

What are your goals for therapy?

What is your support system like outside of therapy?

What are your current living and work situations?

What is your overall physical and mental health history?

It's important to remember that therapy is a collaborative process, and the therapist is there to help you explore your thoughts and feelings and to work with you to develop coping strategies and find solutions to the challenges you are facing. It's okay if you don't know the answers to all of the questions or if you feel uncomfortable discussing certain topics. The therapist is there to help you at your own pace and to support you in a non-judgmental way.

Vishul_Rajput avatar

During your first therapy session, your therapist will likely ask you some questions to help them understand your situation and to get to know you better. Some typical questions you may be asked during your first therapy session include:

  1. What brings you to therapy?
  2. Can you tell me more about what's been going on for you?
  3. Have you ever been in therapy before?
  4. What are your goals for therapy?
  5. What are some of the challenges or struggles you are currently facing?
  6. How are you coping with these challenges?
  7. Can you tell me about your support system (family, friends, etc.)?
  8. Are there any current or past medical or mental health concerns that we should be aware of?
  9. What do you hope to get out of therapy?
  10. Are there any cultural or personal beliefs that you would like me to know about?

Remember that therapy is a collaborative process, and your therapist is there to support you in your journey towards greater well-being. Don't hesitate to ask questions and share any concerns or feelings that come up during the session.

DivyangDhyani avatar


In your first therapy session, your therapist will typically want to get to know you and understand your reasons for seeking therapy. Here are some common questions that you can expect to be asked:

  • What brings you to therapy? This question is designed to understand your reasons for seeking therapy and what specific issues or challenges you are experiencing.
  • Have you been in therapy before? If you have been in therapy before, your therapist may want to know what you found helpful or unhelpful about your previous experiences.
  • What are your goals for therapy? Your therapist will want to understand what you hope to achieve through therapy and what outcomes you are looking for.
  • What is your current life situation? Your therapist may ask about your living situation, work, relationships, and other important aspects of your life to get a better understanding of your context.
  • Have you experienced any mental health issues in the past? This question is designed to understand your mental health history and any previous experiences you have had with mental health treatment.
  • What coping strategies do you use? Your therapist may want to know what strategies you currently use to cope with stress, anxiety, or other challenges.

Remember that therapy is a collaborative process, and your therapist will be there to support you as you work towards your goals. If you have any concerns or questions about the therapy process, don't hesitate to ask your therapist for clarification.

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