Skip to content 
1. Introduction and Rapport Building:
At Manospandana, prepare for first appointment with psychologist by introducing yourself and then your therapist will introduce themselves and explain their therapeutic approach, aiming to create a safe and welcoming environment for you or both partners.
2. Discussion of Goals:
You’ll discuss the reasons you’re seeking therapy and what you hope to achieve, helping to set clear goals for your sessions.
3. Background Information:
For individual counseling, the therapist may inquire about your personal history, including family background, education, work, and any significant life events. For relationship counseling, this includes the history of your relationship, significant events, and the current state of your relationship.
4. Current Concerns:
You’ll have the opportunity to talk about the issues you’re currently facing, including symptoms, feelings, and situations that led you to seek help.
5. Assessment:
>Understanding the First Session and Assessments
In the initial session, therapists usually ask open-ended questions to understand your mental health status, coping mechanisms, and past experiences with therapy. They may also use screening questionnaires, which are brief tools designed to identify specific areas of concern, such as anxiety, depression, or stress.
>Detailed Standard Assessments:
Unlike screening questionnaires, standard assessments involve a comprehensive evaluation and may include a battery of assessments—a series of tools and tests tailored to gain deeper insights into your mental health. These are usually not included in the first session and are only initiated if deemed necessary after the introductory session.
If standard assessments are recommended, your therapist/psychologist will inform you in advance. These assessments are separately charged:
₹3000 to ₹5000, depending on the number and type of assessments included.
>Package Benefits:
When you opt for a therapy package, these assessments are often included at a discounted rate or provided as a complimentary reward for your commitment to the therapeutic process.
6. Setting the Framework:
The therapist will explain how sessions will work at Manospandana, covering confidentiality, session frequency, and any guidelines or expectations.
7. Initial Feedback:
You might receive some initial observations or suggestions from the therapist based on your discussion.
1. Reflect on Issues:
Think about the issues you want to address in therapy. Be ready to discuss your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to these issues.
2. Set Goals:
Consider what you hope to achieve through counseling at Manospandana. Having clear goals can help guide the therapy process.
3. Gather Information:
Be prepared to share relevant personal and relationship history, if applicable.
4. Be Open-Minded:
Approach the session with an open mind and be ready to engage in the process.
5. Write Down Questions:
If you have any questions about the therapist’s methods, qualifications, or the therapy process, write them down to bring to the session.
6. Avoid Blame and Criticism:
For relationship counseling, focus on expressing your feelings without blaming or criticizing your partner to create a constructive environment.
1. Be Honest and Open:
Share your thoughts and feelings truthfully to help the therapist understand the real issues.
2. Listen Actively:
Pay attention to what is being said without interrupting. Show that you value the therapist’s or your partner’s perspective.
3. Stay Respectful:
Maintain a respectful tone and avoid blaming or criticizing your partner in couples counseling.
4. Be Open to Feedback:
Be willing to hear feedback from the therapist, even if it’s difficult to hear.
5. Ask Questions:
If you’re unsure about anything, ask the therapist for clarification.
6. Express Your Goals:
Clearly articulate what you hope to achieve through counseling.
7. Stay Present:
Focus on the session and avoid distractions to make the most of your time.
8. Take Notes:
If helpful, take notes on key points, feedback, or any suggestions from the therapist.
1. Don’t Interrupt:
Allow others to speak without interruption. This shows respect and willingness to listen.
2. Avoid Blame and Criticism:
For couples, refrain from blaming or criticizing your partner. Use “I” statements to express how you feel (e.g., “I feel hurt when…”).
3. Don’t Hold Back:
Avoid withholding important information, as transparency helps the therapist understand the full picture.
4. Avoid Defensiveness:
Try not to get defensive if difficult feedback is shared. Listen and consider the perspective being offered.
5. Don’t Expect Instant Solutions:
Understand that therapy is a process, and immediate solutions may not be found in the first session.
6. Don’t Dominate the Conversation:
Ensure there is a balance in speaking time, especially in couples counseling.
7. Avoid Overloading Issues:
Focus on the most pressing issues rather than overwhelming the session with too many problems.
8. Don’t Criticize the Therapist:
If you have concerns about the therapist’s approach, express them respectfully rather than being confrontational.
By following these guidelines, you can create a productive and positive environment for your first counselling appointment at Manospandana, avoiding common pitfalls such as blame and criticism, and setting a constructive tone for future sessions.
What Happens After Your First Therapy Session?
Your first therapy session sets the foundation for your therapeutic journey. It helps your therapist understand your concerns, goals, and expectations. After this session, the way forward depends on your specific needs and the nature of your challenges. Here’s what you can consider:
1. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
If you’re looking for quick resolutions to specific concerns, you can opt for Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. In this approach:
Sessions are typically scheduled weekly, every 10 days, or fortnightly, depending on your availability and the intensity of the issues.
This type of therapy usually lasts a few sessions, making it ideal for immediate, short-term concerns.
2. Sustainable Support for Long-Term Needs
For deeper, more complex issues, ongoing therapy and counselling may be necessary. This involves:
A minimum duration of 3 months to even years, depending on the nature of the challenges.
A commitment to sustainable support, ensuring steady progress and lasting change over time.
Choosing an appropriate therapy package that offers structure and affordability for your long-term needs.
3. Collaborative Planning and Therapeutic Contract
At the start of your therapy journey, your therapist will:
Guide you in developing a therapeutic contract, which outlines the goals and expectations for therapy.
Suggest an initial number of sessions to help you get started. This plan is flexible and can be adjusted as needed based on your progress and feedback.
4. Understanding the Therapy Process
Therapy is a collaborative process where both the therapist and the client work together toward achieving specific goals.
Your active participation, commitment, and openness are crucial for effective outcomes.
The process may involve exploring patterns, learning new skills, and applying them in daily life.
5. Packages vs. Individual Sessions
>Individual Sessions:
• Best suited for those seeking flexibility in their therapy schedule.
• Pay-as-you-go model allows you to decide session by session.
>Therapy Packages:
• Ideal for long-term therapy needs or those seeking cost-effective options.
• Packages often come with added benefits such as discounted rates, priority scheduling, or additional resources.
• Help you stay consistent and committed to the therapeutic process.
• Commitment Towards Therapy – Therapy is a journey, not a quick fix. Your commitment plays a significant role in achieving meaningful and sustainable changes. Regular attendance, honesty, and willingness to work on the suggested techniques will maximize the benefits of therapy.
At Manospandana, our therapy packages are designed to provide comprehensive and structured support tailored to your unique needs. These packages include assessment batteries to ensure that the therapy process is aligned with your goals and progress is effectively monitored.
1. Short Packages
>Ideal for: Addressing immediate, short-term concerns.
>Assessments Included:
• Initial assessments to evaluate your current concerns and set therapy goals.
2. Middle-Level Packages
>Ideal for: Clients requiring more in-depth therapy over a moderate duration.
>Assessments Included:
• Pre-assessments to establish a baseline for therapy.
• Post-assessments to measure progress and outcomes at the conclusion of the package.
3. Long-Term Packages (20+ Sessions)
>Ideal for: Addressing complex or deep-rooted concerns requiring ongoing support.
>Assessments Included:
• Pre-assessments to set a strong foundation for therapy.
• Mid-point assessments to evaluate progress and make any necessary adjustments.
• Post-assessments to review overall outcomes and plan for future needs, if any.
Why Assessments Matter in Therapy Packages
>Personalized Approach: Helps therapists understand your unique concerns and tailor the therapy accordingly.
>Progress Tracking: Allows both you and your therapist to monitor your journey and adjust the plan as needed.
>Outcome Evaluation: Provides clarity on the effectiveness of the therapy process.
By choosing the right package, you gain access to structured therapy and a clear understanding of your progress at every stage. Discuss your needs with your therapist to select the best option for you.
Know what you’re looking for: Before you meet with your psychologist, therapist or counselor, make sure you understand what you hope to achieve by seeing him or her.
The psychologist will ask questions about your symptoms and history
The standard duration of the first appointment for individual counselling will be for 60 minutes and 90 minutes for any type of relationship, parent-child, and family counselling. However, it might vary slightly based on the concern and needs.
Session Duration: If the session extends beyond the initial 60 minutes, the additional time will be charged at the standard session rate rather than the introductory rate.
It varies from case to case, person to person. Depends on
We practice humanistic and client-centered approaches. We practice eclectic approach in Manospandana. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Transactional Analysis (TA), Choice Theory Based Reality Therapy (CTBRT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness are the few counseling and psychotherapy approaches that we adopt in our practice.
Monday – Saturday
09:00 am – 10:30 pm
Prior Appointment Required
Sunday – Closed
All Rights Reserved Manospandana 2024
Optimized by Seraphinite Accelerator