Hello, friends! It’s Alexandra, and today I want to share a pivotal moment in my journey as a therapist—my very first individual therapy session. As a “baby therapist,” I was both excited and nervous, and this experience taught me invaluable lessons that I carry with me to this day.
My first session was with a 5-year-old girl who had been diagnosed with ADHD. However, her presenting problem was not her ADHD; she was grieving the loss of her father, a police officer who tragically passed away during an emergency. This situation struck a chord with me, as I was also navigating my own grief after losing my father. I felt an immediate connection with this little girl, who was missing her dad just as I was.
Under the guidance of my supervisor, I was instructed to use the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) model, focusing on narrative work with her. My goal was to help her express her BIG feelings and encourage open communication with her mother, rather than resorting to tantrums when she felt overwhelmed.
I remember feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension as I prepared for our sessions. I wanted to create a safe space for her to explore her emotions, and I was determined to make a positive impact on her healing journey.
Throughout our time together, I introduced emotional regulation techniques tailored to her level of understanding. Using various therapy manuals, I psychoeducated her about emotions and coping strategies. I even assigned her “homework” for the first time, which felt like a significant milestone for me as a new therapist!
To my delight, she was receptive to the therapy sessions. As our time together began to dwindle, I noticed I was experiencing countertransference (oh no, the big C-word!) I sought supervision to navigate these feelings and learned that my strong interest in her well-being was a natural response to wanting her to succeed.
At the end of each session, I spent 10 to 15 minutes with her mother, briefly explaining what we had worked on and encouraging her to continue praising her daughter and spending quality time together. This parent training was an essential part of the process, as it helped reinforce the skills we were developing in therapy.
On the last day of sessions, her mother surprised me by asking if I would be willing to continue seeing her daughter outside of my practicum hours. I was taken aback! No one had prepared me for this scenario, and I felt a mix of pride and confusion. On one hand, it was a compliment to my abilities as a baby therapist, but on the other, I knew I had to respond ethically.
I explained to her that I was a therapist in training and that it would be unethical for me to continue seeing her daughter outside of my practicum, as I was not yet licensed. To my relief, her mother was understanding and thanked me for the work I had done with her daughter.
Looking back on this experience, I realize how much I learned from that first session. It taught me the importance of empathy, the value of supervision, and the need to maintain ethical boundaries. I often think about that little girl and her mother, wishing them well on their journey.
For all the new therapists out there, I want to remind you that it’s okay to feel nervous and uncertain. Each session is a learning opportunity, and it’s essential to seek support when needed. Embrace the journey and remember that your passion for helping others is what will guide you through.
Thank you for joining me on this reflection! What was your first therapy session like? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!
