I struggle with mental health myself. I hate to see people struggling. I want people to feel better and do well in life. 

I with that they all knew that the hardest part is making it to your first appointment. You realize that it's not so bad once you take the leap.

During the initial session clients can expect the provider to obtain background information and becoming acquainted with one another. Background information typically includes demographics, psychiatric and medical history, family history, psychosocial history, current medications and previous medication trials, a report from the patient regarding current symptoms and reason for reaching out for treatment. It is possible that lab work may be ordered if warranted. Discussing differential diagnoses and options for treatment.

The more comfortable a patient is with their provider the open and honest they tend to be. The more open the patient is about their symptoms and response to treatment allows the provider to treat the patient to the best of their ability and tailor treatment specific to the patient resulting in better outcomes.

Everyone is different. Each individual processes information and events differently and have different ways of coping with stressful events/situations. What works well for one person may not necessarily work well for someone else. Evaluation of the patient's current coping mechanisms and ability to manage psychiatric symptoms/stressful events comes first. Once this assessment is complete it allows for the provider to assist the patient in identifying any unhealthy ways of coping or lack thereof and provides a foundation from which to build healthy coping mechanisms.