What to Expect in Your First Therapy Session

What to Expect in Your First Therapy Session

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming. You may be asking yourself: What will I say? What if I cry? Will the therapist judge me? At As You Are Counseling in Lititz, we want to take that uncertainty off your shoulders. Our approach is simple: you can truly come as you are.

A Safe, Welcoming Space in Lititz

When you walk into our office, you’ll notice right away that it doesn’t feel like a clinic. We’ve created intentional spaces — from calming therapy rooms like our Haven Room and Sunrise Cove, to our cozy waiting area with coffee and tea — to help you feel at ease. Therapy should feel safe and inviting, not intimidating.

One client put it best: “Every therapist that passed me said hello. They were warm and welcoming even though I wasn’t their client.” That sense of community and kindness is part of what makes As You Are Counseling unique.

Meeting Your Therapist

Your first session is about connection. Your therapist will take time to listen and understand not only the challenges that brought you in, but also the strengths you already carry. You don’t need to have the “perfect” story or everything figured out. This is a conversation, not a test.

We continue to hear from clients that one of the things that makes their experience with us different is how comfortable they feel with their therapist. Many share that, for the first time, they don’t feel judged, rushed, or like they have to “say the right thing.” Instead, they feel safe to show up exactly as they are — with their fears, their grief, their questions, and even their messy emotions. That ability to be fully yourself in session is what makes therapy at AYA not only effective, but deeply healing.

Specialties We Offer

At As You Are Counseling, our clinicians bring expertise in a wide range of areas, allowing us to provide personalized care for each client. Some of our specialties include:

• EMDR Therapy (including intensives)

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Complex Grief and Loss

• Chronic Pain and Health Conditions

• Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Assault

• Anxiety and Depression

• Family and Relationship Therapy

• Support for Teens and Young Adults

• LGBTQ+ Affirming Counseling

• Bilingual Therapy

• ASL Therapy

Our team is here to meet you wherever you are on your journey, whether you’re seeking deep trauma work, support for a chronic condition, or simply a safe place to process life changes.

Setting the Pace Together

Some clients are ready to dive right into their story; others prefer to ease in slowly. Both are okay. Together, we’ll discuss your goals, talk about what you hope to gain from therapy, and answer any questions about the process.

Building Trust

Therapy is ultimately about relationship. The first session is the beginning of a partnership where you’ll feel seen, heard, and supported. Our therapists bring both clinical expertise and genuine compassion to every session, creating space for healing, growth, and discovery.

Leaving Your First Session

You may not leave your first session with everything “fixed” — but you’ll leave knowing you don’t have to carry your story alone anymore. That first step is the beginning of healing, and we’ll walk alongside you every step of the way.