Your First Visit: What to Expect
We understand that walking into a new space for the first time can feel daunting. Here is a step-by-step guide to how we work at Live Well Now Psychology.
Before You Arrive: Once you book your appointment, you’ll receive an email with some initial paperwork. Completing this online beforehand means we can spend our first session focusing entirely on you, rather than on forms. If you have a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, please bring it along or email it to us in advance.
Arriving at the Practice: Because we are a home-based practice, the experience is very different from a busy medical centre:
- Parking: There is plenty of free, easy street parking directly outside.
- Privacy: We don’t have a crowded waiting room. We ask that you arrive right at your appointment time to ensure total privacy for you and our other clients between sessions.
- Entry: Please come in through take a seat in our waiting area just inside the front door or feel free to sit outside if you are more comfortable there. No need to ring the bell as we may still be with another client.
- Tea and coffee: Feel free to make yourself a comforting cup of tea or a Nespresso machine coffee or a glass of water while you wait.
A Warm Welcome: When you enter, you’ll find a quiet, comfortable, and non-clinical lounge environment. Our Golden Retriever, Bella, is usually here to greet you with a wagging tail. She has a very calming presence and often sits quietly in the room during sessions. Note: If you have an allergy or are uncomfortable with dogs, please let us know in advance, we are happy to make sure Bella is in a different part of the house during your visit.
The First Session: Your first appointment is what we call an “Initial Consultation.” It’s a 50-minute conversation where:
- We listen to your story and what has brought you here.
- We discuss your goals. What would your life look like if our sessions are helpful?
- We get to know each other. The “fit” between a psychologist and a client is the most important part of therapy. If you don’t feel we are the right match, we can help you find someone who is.
Moving Forward: By the end of the first session, we will usually have a “road map” or a basic treatment plan. We’ll discuss which evidence-based therapies (like EMDR, CBT, or Schema Therapy) might be most helpful for you, how often we recommend you attend and how many sessions might be needed. We can then look at booking future sessions to keep your momentum going. If you have a GP referral we are required to update your GP on your progress. If you are under other insurers we may need to lodge a provider treatment plan or provide feedback on your progress.
Maximising Your Progress
To help you get the most out of your time at Live Well Now, we recommend the following approach to your therapy:
Set Clear Goals: Think about how you want your life to look after counselling. Knowing what “success” looks like for you helps us stay on track.
Prioritise Your Appointments: Please arrive on time. Your session is dedicated solely to you, and we aim to make the most of every minute.
Be Open and Honest: We provide a non-judgmental space. The more we understand your true experience, the better we can support your growth. Please let us know if you have any concerns or issues regarding your sessions or treatment plan. We can’t fix it if we don’t know there is a problem!
Embrace Change: Therapy often involves trying new ways of thinking or behaving. While it can feel uncomfortable at first, this is where the most growth happens.
Work Between Sessions: Practice is key. Completing suggested tasks and reviewing your handouts helps you see results faster and saves you time and money.
Track Your Journey: Note down any “wins,” struggles, or insights during the week. Bringing these to your next session ensures we address what matters most.
Stay Connected: Follow our Facebook page and explore the resources on this site for additional tips and support between visits. Share your experiences with close loved ones so that they can support your insights and changes.
Need Urgent Help?
Please be aware that Live Well Now Psychology is not a crisis service. Phone calls, emails and texts will not be answered outside of business hours. Where possible we can try and move your next appointment forward. In crisis you can contact:
- Emergency Services – 000
- Mental Health Acute Care Team – 1300 64 22 55 (1300 MHCALL) – 24hrs
- Lifeline – 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
- Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 (For ages 5 to 25 years)
- Parentline – 1300 30 1300 (8am to 10pm)
- DVConnect – 1800 811 811
- Your GP
