The short explanation
The first therapy session is mostly about getting to know each other. The therapist will usually ask what brought you, how long it has been going on, how it affects daily life, and a little about your background, family and health. They will also explain how sessions work, how long they last, fees, and confidentiality. You do not have to tell everything in the first session. You can go at your own pace and say if a topic feels too hard right now. A good therapist will respect that. It is also fine to ask questions about their training and approach, and to try someone else if you do not feel comfortable after a few sessions.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Therapists in India include clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists and counsellors, and their training varies. Asking about qualifications is reasonable. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can also prescribe medicine.
- Costs vary widely. Government hospitals and medical colleges often have psychology services at low cost, and some colleges have free counsellors.
- Online therapy is an option if privacy at home or travel is a problem.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot tell you what kind of therapy you need. The therapist will discuss that with you after understanding your situation.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- What kind of therapy do you use, and why does it suit my problem?
- What will you keep confidential, and when would you have to break confidentiality?
- How many sessions might I need, and how will we know it is helping?
- What can I do between sessions?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have thoughts of ending your life, have harmed yourself, or feel you cannot keep yourself safe right now.
Book an appointment soon
- If you are struggling a lot while waiting for an appointment, call Tele-MANAS on 14416 for support.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book a first session with a counsellor or psychologist when you feel ready, and write down a few points you want to say.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Mental health MedlinePlus (NIH)
- Generalised anxiety disorder in adults NHS
- Depression in adults NHS
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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