So you have decided that you may need therapy. The next question people often ask is simple but important: How do I begin?
For many people, the first step into therapy feels uncertain. You may know you want support, but you may not yet know which therapist is right for you, what the process will feel like, or even whether therapy is the right step right now.
This is exactly why we begin with what we call a chemistry session.
A chemistry session is not the same as a full therapy session. It is a short introductory conversation designed to help you decide whether working together feels right.
At Encompassing Therapy and Counselling, we believe that the relationship between therapist and client is one of the most important parts of therapy. Before any meaningful work can happen, there needs to be a sense of trust, understanding, and openness. A chemistry session helps both of us determine whether that connection exists.
What Is a Chemistry Session in Therapy?
A chemistry session is a brief introductory meeting between you and a therapist before committing to ongoing therapy.
Picture a first date…you go to a place with this new person you’re interested in and exchange questions to know more about each other and gauge whether you both align, in likes, dislikes, hobbies, career, etc.
This is the same with chemistry sessions. Think of it as a conversation rather than a treatment session. Its purpose is to give you a chance to understand how the therapist works, ask questions about the process, and get a feel for whether you would feel comfortable speaking openly with them.
Starting therapy is not like booking a haircut or attending a class. Therapy involves exploring parts of your life that may be difficult, vulnerable, or deeply personal. Because of this, the fit between therapist and client matters a great deal.
During a chemistry session, we usually explore a few things together. You might briefly share what has been bringing you to therapy. We may talk about what you are hoping will change or what you would like to understand better about yourself. The therapist or counselor will also explain how they work as a therapist and what therapy might look like if you decide to continue.
Just as importantly, it gives you space to ask questions. Many people want to know what therapy will involve, how often sessions might happen, or how we approach certain issues.
By the end of the conversation, the goal is not to solve the problem immediately. The goal is simply to answer a more fundamental question: Do we feel like the right fit to do this work together?
Why Therapist Fit Matters
One of the most overlooked parts of starting therapy is finding the right therapist.
Research consistently shows that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is one of the strongest predictors of successful therapy. In other words, the techniques used in therapy matter, but the relationship between client and therapist matters just as much.
A good therapy fit often feels like this:
- You feel heard rather than judged.
- You feel curious about the process rather than pressured by it.
- You sense that the therapist is trying to understand your world rather than forcing you into a framework.
This does not mean every session feels easy.
Therapy often involves difficult emotions. But it should still feel like a space where you can speak honestly and explore things at your own pace.
A chemistry session helps you sense whether that kind of working relationship might be possible.
Starting Therapy at Encompassing Therapy and Counselling
At Encompassing Therapy and Counselling, we currently have two therapists who work with clients: Dr. Mag and Gary.
While both of us work from an existential perspective, each therapist brings a slightly different style and emphasis into the room.
Dr. Mag
Dr. Mag’s work often focuses on helping clients understand themselves more deeply in relation to their lives and relationships. Many clients come to therapy when they feel stuck in recurring patterns or when they are navigating significant life transitions.
Her approach is not simply about reducing symptoms. Instead, sessions often explore the meanings behind emotions, decisions, and life struggles. Clients frequently find themselves reflecting on questions about identity, purpose, relationships, and how they encounter the world around them.
Gary
Gary’s approach often resonates strongly with younger adults who are navigating questions about direction, identity, and emotional regulation. His work tends to explore how people relate to their thoughts, feelings, and choices in everyday life.
Many clients appreciate Gary’s thoughtful and reflective style, especially when they are trying to understand themselves more clearly rather than simply eliminate a problem.
During a chemistry session, you will have the chance to experience each therapist’s approach directly and decide who feels like the better fit for you.
When Is the Right Time to Start Therapy?
Deciding to begin therapy is not always straightforward.
We often remind clients that therapy itself is only 50 minutes a week. That is a relatively short amount of time. What makes therapy meaningful is not only what happens during the session but also what happens between sessions.
Therapy tends to work best when there is a rhythm between reflection and real life. You bring your experiences, struggles, and questions into the therapy room. We explore them together. Then you go back into your life, noticing new patterns, reactions, or insights before bringing those experiences back into the next session.
We sometimes describe this as a kind of dance between therapy and life.
Because of this, readiness for therapy is not only about whether you have a problem. It is also about whether you feel open to engaging in this process.
Some people come to therapy because someone else encouraged them to. Others know they have things to work on but do not yet feel ready to approach them. Both situations are understandable.
A helpful question to ask yourself is this: Am I open to doing things differently right now?
If the answer is not yet, that is okay. Sometimes the right time simply has not arrived.
Considering the Practical Side of Therapy
There are also practical considerations when beginning therapy.
Therapy requires time, emotional energy, and financial commitment. Sometimes difficult emotions surface during therapy as we begin exploring deeper layers of our experiences. This does not necessarily mean therapy is not working. Often it means that underlying feelings are finally being given space to emerge and be understood.
It can be helpful to reflect on whether you currently have the space in your life to engage with this process.
Financial sustainability is another important factor. Therapy is usually most helpful as a process that unfolds over time rather than as a single session. For this reason, it is worth thinking about therapy as an ongoing investment rather than a one-off service.
If cost is a concern, you might also explore whether your insurance covers mental health services, whether your workplace offers an Employee Assistance Program, or whether shorter or less frequent sessions might be possible.
Beginning the Conversation
Starting therapy does not require certainty. In fact, many people begin therapy because they feel uncertain about their lives, relationships, or decisions.
A chemistry session is simply the first step in that conversation.
It gives you space to ask questions, understand how therapy works, and decide whether you feel comfortable moving forward.
If you are curious about starting therapy, you can book a chemistry session with us at Encompassing Therapy and Counselling. From there, we can explore together whether therapy feels like the right next step for you.
About the Author
I am a BPS-accredited and SPS-accredited Counselling Psychologist with a Doctorate in Existential Psychology from the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling in London, U.K. My care philosophy is not to diagnose, label, or categorise but rather to work with the individual in front of me in the here and now.
My clinical credentials certainly play a significant role in defining my professional identity. But to foster a deeper connection and authenticity, I invite you to discover my other “Selves”, the various facets of who I am.
