It’s normal to feel Nervous
If you’re about to start sessions at Uplift Psychology, it’s completely normal to feel a bit nervous. You might be wondering what we’ll talk about, whether it will be helpful, or what the process actually looks like. This post walks you through what to expect so you can feel more prepared and at ease.
Before Your First Session
After booking your initial appointment, you’ll receive a confirmation email along with some helpful information. You’ll also be asked to complete some intake forms before your first session. These cover things like the payment and cancellation policy, how your information is handled, and some screening questionnaires. At Uplift Psychology, you can complete all of these online. If you have any questions about the forms, please feel comfortable to ask before completing them.
What the First Sessions Look like
The first one to two sessions are about getting to know one another. You’ll be invited to share what’s happening for you and we can talk about the type of support you’re after. You might be experiencing challenges at work, career uncertainty, stress, or something else that feels like it needs to shift.
These early sessions may be a little more structured as we cover important background information. If you have a long or complex history, don’t worry about covering everything straight away. We can ccome back to anything relevant as our work together progresses.
Setting Goals and creating a plan
Once we’ve built a picture of what’s going on, we’ll start talking about your goals and develop a clear plan together. This is where the coaching psychology approach comes in. It’s forward-focused, solutions-oriented, and tailored to how you think and work.
I’ll share observations and suggest evidence-based tools and approaches based on what I’m seeing, but I need your feedback to know if we’re on the right track. I’m open to redirection along the way. Sharing your honest thoughts about how you think we’re progressing can help us to find what actually works for you.
I can also provide guidance on what frequency and duration of sessions makes sense based on your goals and needs. There’s no set formula, just a plan tailored around you.
Getting the Most out of Your Sessions
Bring a Learners Mindset
I’m often asked about the right mindset to bring to sessions, and it’s a great question. The short answer is: curiosity. The people who tend to get the most out of this process approach it like a learner — staying open to new ideas, accepting that meaningful change rarely happens in a straight line, and treating difficult moments as part of the work rather than a sign that something’s gone wrong. When you hit a challenge or feel stuck, those experiences often contain the most useful information about what needs to shift. You don’t need to arrive with all the answers. You just need to be willing to explore what’s happening.
Be Honest About What’s Uncomfortable
It’s common to feel uncomfortable or nervous at various points during sessions. We may be discussing things you rarely talk about, or haven’t shared with anyone before. If that discomfort is making it hard to engage, let me know. Even saying “I feel really uncomfortable right now” is valuable. That’s honesty, and that’s what we need to work with.
Between Your Sessions
What you do between sessions matters just as much as the session itself — but it doesn’t have to be complicated. A moment of reflection, a small shift in how you approach something, or trying out a skill we discussed even just once can all make a real difference. Progress tends to build through these small, everyday moments rather than in big leaps. The more you can bring even a little of what we work on into your day-to-day life, the more you’re likely to get out of the process.
Reflect Before Your Sessions
This is an active, collaborative process. While I’ll have a general idea about the direction and topics to cover, you’re the expert in your own life. Spending a few minutes before each session reflecting on what’s happened since we last met can make a real difference. You might think about what went well, what was challenging, and what felt like it shifted. Sharing this at the start of a session helps us focus on what’s most meaningful and valuable for you.
What to Expect After Each Session
After each session, you’ll receive a summary along with tailored resources relevant to what we’ve been working on. These are designed to reinforce what we covered and give you practical tools to apply between sessions.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’d like to learn more about how we can work together, book a 15-minute intake call. It’s a quick, obligation-free conversation to ask questions, share what’s on your mind, and see if Uplift Psychology feels like the right fit.
