Preparing for Your First Therapy Session: What Clients and Families Should Know

Starting therapy can bring a mix of emotions. You might feel excited, nervous, unsure of what to expect, or all three at once.

Whether you're a parent arranging support for your child, an NDIS participant beginning services, or a support coordinator helping someone access therapy, knowing what happens during a first appointment can make the experience much smoother.

The good news is that your first session isn't about having all the answers. It's simply an opportunity for your therapist to get to know you, understand your goals, and start planning the right support.

What Happens During a First Therapy Session?

The first appointment is usually focused on gathering information and understanding your needs.

Depending on whether you're seeing an Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist, Behaviour Support Practitioner, Psychologist, or Physiotherapist, the session may look slightly different, but most follow a similar process.

Getting to Know You

Your therapist will spend time learning about you, your strengths, and any challenges you're experiencing.

They may ask questions about:

• Daily routines 
• School, work, or community participation 
• Communication skills 
• Physical abilities 
• Emotional wellbeing 
• Behavioural concerns 
• Current supports and services 

For children, therapists may use play-based activities or observation to help build rapport and understand how they engage with others.

Discussing Goals

A key part of the therapy intake process is understanding what you'd like to achieve.

Goals might include:

• Improving communication skills 
• Building independence with daily tasks 
• Developing social skills 
• Improving mobility or physical function 
• Managing behaviours of concern 
• Increasing confidence and participation in everyday activities 

You don't need to have perfectly written goals before attending. Your therapist can help identify and refine them during the appointment.

Assessments and Observations

Your therapist may also complete an assessment during the session.

This stage of allied health assessment preparation helps identify strengths, areas of need, and recommendations for future support.

Depending on the service, assessments may include:

• Questionnaires 
• Interviews 
• Observations 
• Functional assessments 
• Communication assessments 
• Physical or movement assessments 

Some assessments can be completed in one appointment, while others may take place over multiple sessions.

Planning the Next Steps

Before the session ends, your therapist will discuss recommendations and what happens next.

This may include:

• Ongoing therapy sessions 
• Home strategies 
• Parent or caregiver support 
• Additional assessments 
• Goal planning 
• Collaboration with schools, support workers, or other providers 

You'll also have the chance to ask any questions about the therapy process.

Preparing for a Therapy Session

A little preparation can help you get the most value from your first appointment.

Bring Relevant Documents

If you have them available, consider bringing:

• Previous therapy reports 
• Medical reports 
• School reports 
• NDIS plans 
• Behaviour support plans 
• Assessment reports from other providers 

These documents can help your therapist gain a clearer picture of your needs and avoid repeating information you've already shared elsewhere.

Think About What You'd Like Help With

You don't need a detailed plan, but it can help to think about the areas where support is needed most.

Ask yourself:

• What challenges are affecting everyday life? 
• What skills would I like to improve? 
• What would success look like in six to twelve months? 

Even a few simple examples can help guide the conversation.

Write Down Any Questions

Many people leave their first appointment and realise they forgot to ask something.

Consider writing down questions beforehand, such as:

• How often will therapy be recommended? 
• What can we work on at home? 
• How will progress be measured? 
• What should we expect in future sessions? 

NDIS Therapy Preparation

For NDIS participants, the first session may also include discussion about how therapy aligns with your plan goals.

Your therapist may ask about:

• Your NDIS goals 
• Current supports 
• Previous therapy experiences 
• Areas where you'd like to build capacity and independence 

Having a copy of your NDIS plan available can be helpful, but don't worry if you're still learning how everything works. Your therapist can explain the process and answer any questions along the way.

Common Therapy Session Expectations

One of the biggest concerns people have before starting therapy is whether they're doing things "right."

The reality is that there is no perfect way to attend a therapy session.

Every person, family, and situation is different.

What matters most is being open about your experiences, concerns, and goals. The more your therapist understands about your circumstances, the better they can tailor support to your needs.

It's also important to remember that therapy is a process. Progress often happens over time, and your goals may change as you develop new skills and confidence.

Starting with Confidence

Beginning therapy is an important step, and feeling a little uncertain is completely normal.

Your first appointment is simply the starting point. It's an opportunity to ask questions, share your goals, and work with a therapist to create a plan that supports meaningful outcomes.

At Allied X, our team of Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, Behaviour Support Practitioners, Psychologists, and Physiotherapists provide personalised support for children, adults, families, and NDIS participants.

We offer services across Sydney, the Gold Coast, Adelaide, and via telehealth throughout Australia.

Ready to get started?

Make a referral with Allied X today. Once we receive your referral, our team will be in touch to discuss your needs, answer any questions, and explain the next steps.