Starting Therapy: What to Expect
A client-facing guide describing the phases of therapy, with prompts for goals and questions and a checklist for getting the most from sessions.
1-page fillable PDF · US Letter (prints on A4) · Psychoeducation · Engagement
- Approach / concern
- Universal
- Technique
- Psychoeducation · Engagement
- Format
- Fillable PDF, 1 page (US Letter / A4)
- Access
- Pro and Advanced plans (3-day free trial)
- For
- Licensed clinicians to use with clients
- Updated
- October 2026
Key facts
What is the Starting Therapy: What to Expect?
Preparing clients for therapy, including what to expect, collaborative goal-setting and encouraging feedback, supports engagement and reduces early dropout.
Why it works
Premature discontinuation is common in psychotherapy (Swift & Greenberg, 2012), and a strong therapeutic alliance is one of the most robust predictors of outcome (Fluckiger et al., 2018). Role preparation and goal consensus support both.
When to use it
- Intake and first sessions
- Clients new to therapy
- Group and online therapy orientation
- Re-starting therapy after a break
How to use it in session
- Share before or at the first session.
- Discuss phases of therapy.
- Explore goals and questions.
- Invite ongoing feedback.
- Revisit goals periodically.
Clinician tips
- Normalize nervousness about starting.
- Encourage questions about confidentiality and limits.
- Pair with the session feedback form.
Worked example
Sharing with clients
Members can download the PDF to print or email, or copy a private client link from the download box. Your client opens the link and downloads the worksheet on any device. No client account is needed, and nothing your client writes is stored on TherapyAid.
Frequently asked questions
How long does therapy usually take?
It varies. Some concerns improve in 6-12 sessions; others benefit from longer-term work. Discuss it with your therapist.
What if I don’t click with my therapist?
It’s okay to raise this. Fit matters, and a good therapist will welcome the conversation or help you find someone else.
References
Swift, J. K., & Greenberg, R. P. (2012). Premature discontinuation in adult psychotherapy: A meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 80(4), 547-559.
Fluckiger, C., Del Re, A. C., Wampold, B. E., & Horvath, A. O. (2018). The alliance in adult psychotherapy: A meta-analytic synthesis. Psychotherapy, 55(4), 316-340.
This worksheet is an educational tool for use by, or under the guidance of, a licensed or registered mental-health professional. It is not a diagnostic instrument or a substitute for clinical judgement. If a client is in crisis in Canada, call or text 9-8-8 or call 9-1-1.
