What to Expect in Your First Therapy Session

If you have never been to therapy, it is normal to wonder what the first appointment will actually feel like. Understanding how it works tends to quiet the nerves before you ever walk in or log on. At Salonia Singh Therapy and Associates, the first session is a real conversation, not an interrogation, and you set the pace.

Here is how it works from the first contact — from the free consultation all the way through to setting your goals.

Your first session, step by step

1. Free consultation and team-match. Start with a short, free call. You describe what is going on in your own words, and, because we are a group practice, we help match you with the therapist most likely to be a good fit.
2. Intake and paperwork. Once scheduled, you complete brief intake forms: basic details, a short history, and consent and privacy agreements. This keeps your first session focused on you, not logistics.
3. The 50-minute first session. Your therapist introduces themselves, explains how sessions and confidentiality work, and invites you to share what brought you in. You lead. If something feels too raw, you can say so.
4. Goal-setting. Toward the end, you begin to name what you want from therapy. Goals do not have to be fully formed on day one; you refine them together over the first few sessions.
5. Next steps. You and your therapist agree on a rhythm that fits your life and book your next appointment.

How therapy works with us

• 50-minute sessions. Each appointment is 50 minutes, a full space to be heard without feeling rushed.
• Telehealth or in person. Meet by secure telehealth anywhere in California, or in person at our West Los Angeles and Pasadena offices.
• Confidential. What you share is private. Your therapist explains the narrow, legally required exceptions that exist only to keep people safe.
• Nerves are welcome. It is completely normal to feel nervous. You do not have to arrive calm or composed; you only have to show up.

Rates and logistics

Every first step begins with a free consultation, so you can ask questions and find the right fit at no cost. Session fees generally range from $150–$220 depending on the clinician and session format. We are an out-of-network practice and provide superbills you can submit to your insurer for possible partial reimbursement if you have out-of-network benefits. We will walk you through exactly how that works during your consultation, before you commit to anything.

Frequently asked questions

What actually happens in a first therapy session?

Your first session is a 50-minute conversation. Your therapist introduces themselves, explains how sessions and confidentiality work, and invites you to share what brought you in at your own pace. Together you begin to shape goals. There is no pressure to tell your whole story at once.

Do I need to prepare anything before my first session?

Not much. You will usually complete brief intake paperwork beforehand, such as basic details, consent forms, and a short history. Beyond that, you do not need to rehearse. Arriving with only a rough sense of "something feels off" is completely fine.

How much does a session cost?

Your first step — the consultation — is free. Session fees generally range from $150–$220 depending on the clinician and format. We are an out-of-network practice and provide superbills for possible insurance reimbursement. We share all the specifics during your consultation so there are no surprises.

Is online therapy in California as real as meeting in person?

Yes. We offer both in-person sessions at our West Los Angeles and Pasadena offices and secure telehealth to anyone located anywhere in California. The right format is the one that fits your life, and many clients value telehealth for its privacy and convenience.

You do not need the right words or a tidy story to begin. Take the first step: Book a free consultation

Prefer to talk? Call us at (818) 570-2527.