The short answer: your first session at Bloom is 60 minutes. You’ll get a short intake form by email beforehand. We start with confidentiality, briefly talk about what you’d like to get out of therapy, and from there you guide the session. You don’t need to share everything, and there’s no right way to feel afterwards.
Before your first session
Once you book, you’ll be emailed a quick, brief intake form to fill in before you attend. It covers the basics, so we don’t spend your session on paperwork. Anything else, we figure out together on the day.
You don’t need a referral, and you don’t need to prepare anything special. Some people like to jot down a few notes about what’s been going on, but it’s completely optional.
Common worries before a first session
One of the biggest concerns I encounter is the fear of having to relive traumatic experiences or disclose things people aren’t ready to talk about. Some people worry they’ll be judged, that their experiences aren’t serious enough to warrant therapy, or that they’ll become overwhelmed and lose control of their emotions. Others have spent years avoiding certain memories because they’re afraid of what might happen if they open that door.
The first thing I want people to understand is that you don’t have to tell me everything that’s happened to you for us to begin working together.
Trauma therapy isn’t about forcing someone to revisit painful experiences before they’re ready. In fact, sometimes the most important work we do initially has very little to do with the traumatic event itself. My priority is understanding what someone is experiencing now, how it’s affecting their life, and what they want to change.
I also explain that therapy is collaborative. Clients have a say in what we explore, how quickly we proceed, and which approaches we use. If something feels too overwhelming, we can slow down, change direction, or stop.
I often remind people that they’ve already spent a considerable amount of time living with their experiences. They don’t need to prove how much they’ve suffered by recounting every detail in their first appointment.
What happens in the first hour
All sessions are 60 minutes. Every first session is different, because every person is different, but it usually flows like this:
1. Confidentiality
We always start here, so you know what stays private and the limited situations where it wouldn’t.
2. Brief goal setting
What’s brought you in, and what you’d like to be different.
3. You guide the rest
From there, the session goes however it needs to. Some people want to talk, some want to learn ways to settle their body first, and some aren’t sure yet. All of that is okay.
If you cry, shut down or can’t find the words
I see these responses as part of the therapeutic process rather than something that needs to be corrected.
If you cry
I don’t automatically try to stop the tears or make you feel better. Crying can be a natural expression of grief, distress, relief, or emotions that someone hasn’t felt safe enough to express previously. Sometimes the most therapeutic thing I can do is simply remain present without trying to fix what you’re feeling.
If you feel overwhelmed or shut down
I pay attention to changes in breathing, posture, responsiveness, and your ability to stay connected to the conversation. Rather than pushing for more information, I might slow things down, gently bring your attention back to the room, or help you reconnect with physical sensations that feel safe and manageable.
If you go quiet
Silence doesn’t always mean someone is disengaged. You may be processing something significant, organising your thoughts, or experiencing a protective response to distress.
One of the things I try to communicate through my approach is that you don’t have to perform in therapy. You don’t need to have the right words, explain your experiences perfectly, or regulate your emotions for my benefit. My responsibility is to recognise what’s happening, respond appropriately, and help create an environment where those experiences can be explored safely.
How you might feel afterwards
It’s mixed. Some people leave feeling great, some feel drained, and others feel unsure. However you feel is right for you. There’s no “correct” reaction to a first session.
Is the first session different online or in person?
The overall purpose of the first session is largely the same whether we’re meeting online or in person: understanding your experiences, identifying your goals, checking in on your current emotional wellbeing, and beginning to build a working relationship. The main differences are practical, particularly with trauma.
In person, I have access to more nonverbal information, such as changes in posture, movement, breathing, and how someone responds physically during difficult conversations.
Online, some of those cues can be harder to observe, so I may check in more often about what you’re experiencing rather than relying on what I can see. I also pay attention to the space you’re joining from. It’s important to have somewhere private where you feel comfortable speaking openly, without worrying about being overheard or interrupted. For trauma work, we also agree on what we’ll do if you become distressed, lose connection, or need extra support during the session, including confirming your location and emergency arrangements.
Some people feel more comfortable engaging from their own familiar space, which can ease first-session nerves. Others prefer the separation of coming into a therapy room, particularly if home doesn’t feel private or emotionally safe. I don’t believe one format is automatically better than the other. What matters is your circumstances, preferences, and whether the format allows us to work safely and effectively. Learn more about online counselling.
Whether we’re meeting online or in person, my priority is the same: helping you feel heard, respected, and involved in your own therapeutic process.
What to look for in a trauma therapist
I think one of the most important things to look for is a therapist who understands that trauma isn’t just about what happened to someone, but also how those experiences continue to influence their emotions, relationships, beliefs, and sense of safety.
Qualifications and appropriate training matter, particularly when working with complex trauma, dissociation, and approaches such as EMDR. However, I don’t believe qualifications alone determine whether someone will be the right therapist for you. The therapeutic relationship is incredibly important.
- They listen and respect your boundaries: you should feel that your therapist is genuinely listening and taking your experiences seriously.
- They explain their approach: they can answer questions and help you understand why they’re recommending a particular intervention.
- They adapt to you: two people may have experienced similar events but developed very different responses. One might struggle with intrusive memories and hypervigilance, while another experiences emotional numbness, dissociation, or deeply ingrained feelings of worthlessness. Those presentations may require different therapeutic considerations.
- They know their limits: a good trauma therapist is comfortable acknowledging the limits of their expertise and referring someone elsewhere when appropriate.
Ultimately, you should feel that therapy is something you’re participating in, not something that’s being done to you.
And if you don’t feel comfortable with a particular therapist, that doesn’t necessarily mean therapy isn’t for you. Sometimes it simply means you haven’t found the right therapeutic relationship.
What happens next
After the first session, we’ll have a clearer idea of how to work together. Depending on what suits you, that might include counselling, hypnotherapy, conversational hypnosis or EMDR-informed techniques. Learn more about trauma and PTSD counselling at Bloom.
If you’re in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24/7), or 000 if life is in danger.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a first trauma therapy session?
At Bloom, all sessions, including the first, are 60 minutes.
Do I have to talk about my trauma in the first session?
No. You can share as much or as little as you’re ready to, and we go at a pace that feels safe.
Is there paperwork before my first session?
Yes, a short intake form is emailed to you before you attend. Everything else is worked out together on the day.
How will I feel after my first session?
It varies. Some people feel great, some feel drained, and some feel unsure. However you feel is okay.
What if I cry or can’t find the words in my first session?
That’s okay and part of the process. You don’t have to perform in therapy. We can slow down, pause, or come back to the present, and silence is fine too.
Is a first trauma session different online?
The purpose is the same. Online, there are more check-ins and we agree on a plan if you become distressed or lose connection. You’ll need a private space.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly.
Getting started
Sessions are available in person in Yarrabilba, near Logan, Jimboomba and Beenleigh, or online anywhere in Australia. No referral is needed. Book a session or call 0451 119 353.
