What to Expect from the First Psychology Session at Lacuna

By Nick Hutchins (Clinical Psychologist) · Published 2025 · 4 min read

Side-by-side images of a house's exterior and interior. Left side shows a blue front door with surrounding stained glass windows, white decorative trim, plants, and a white picket fence. Right side shows a cozy interior living space with armchairs, a fireplace, artwork, and a potted orchid on the mantel.

Left: The entrance to Lacuna. Right: The Lacuna waiting room

If you’ve never been treated by a psychologist before, the unknown can feel daunting. At Lacuna Psychology, we have purposely designed an environment to put our patients at ease. 

Let’s look at an example of a client’s first session at Lacuna Psychology in Newcastle

Scenario: Nicola's Attending Lacuna Psychology for the First Time

When Nicola, a woman in her 30s, found herself struggling with depression and anxiety following a relationship breakdown, she decided it was time to seek help. Having tried Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) years ago, she was now looking for a different approach—one that focused more on processing her underlying emotions rather than looking at her thoughts and behaviours. She reviewed Lacuna’s website and found their approach to therapy aligned with her needs.

Booking and forms
Nicola was able to book online which she appreciated. Before her appointment Lacuna emailed her a simple form to fill out that requested her Medicare number, which she submitted the day of her appointment.

Finding Lacuna

Nicola was pleasantly surprised when she arrived at Lacuna Clinical Psychology on Crebert St in Mayfield (Newcastle). It wasn’t the sterile clinic environment she had feared; instead, it felt more like a welcoming home. She appreciated the free street parking available nearby, which made her visit much less stressful. Upon entering, she noticed the fireplace in reception, adding to the welcoming atmosphere.

Modern therapy room and office space with neutral decor, brown leather sofa, beige armchair, abstract art, wooden coffee table, plant, and reception desk with window view.

Left: A therapy room at Lacuna, Right: Waiting room at Lacuna

First Impressions

As she walked in, Nicola was greeted by Jordan at the reception desk. She had her referral on her phone and emailed it directly to Jordan while she waited. She was concerned as her GP had made it out to a different clinic. Jordan assured her he would take care of it, that Lacuna could accept all referrals even if they weren’t named, which eased her worries. Nicola also spotted Remi, the Lacuna therapy dog, stationed in her bed which further added to the feeling of calm of the clinic

What Happens in the First Session

In her first session, Nicola and her psychologist focused on a few key areas:

  • Understanding What Brought Nicola to Therapy
    The psychologist began by asking about the difficulties Nicola was experiencing and what she hoped to achieve through therapy. This step helped them create a focused direction for their work together.

Woman sitting across for a psychologist in Newcastle

  • Exploring Nicola’s History
    They then explored the history of Nicola’s struggles, looking primarily at her recent struggles that led her to therapy and how these linked to similar experiences in her past, recognising that there were some meaningful patterns that recurred in her life. This discussion helped develop a shared understanding of the emotional factors that play in to her difficulties.

  • Feeling Comfortable in Therapy
    The psychologist noticed Nicola’s initial anxiety and helped her to recognise the specific signs she experienced. Attending to this initial anxiety and normalising it helped Nicola to feel more comfortable before opening up about her difficulties. Her therapist expressed the importance of feeling comfortable in therapy and they agreed there was always the opportunity to take a moment to regulate anxiety any time it started to get too uncomfortable.

Female patient explaining something to a female psychologist in a therapy room in Newcastle

  • Collaborating on a Plan
    At the end of the appointment, the psychologist summarised their discussion to ensure they were on the same page. They worked together to outline the next steps in Nicola’s therapy journey based on the specific information that was gathered in the appointment.

  • Addressing Questions or Concerns
    Nicola appreciated that the psychologist provided time to address her concerns and questions about therapy. This open dialogue reassured her as she embarked on this new path.

  • Practical Next Steps
    Before wrapping up, the psychologist discussed scheduling, recommending weekly or fortnightly sessions, and ensured Nicola felt informed and prepared for her therapy journey ahead.

Female psychologist taking notes in Newcastle

Nicola left her first session feeling hopeful. She understood that therapy is a collaborative process, and each session would build on the last to help her make meaningful changes in her life. She appreciated that her therapist would work with her on any new problems or goals that might arise.

At the end of the session, Nicola spoke to Jordan at reception where she was able to book her next appointment and pay for her session. She received a rebate from Medicare directly into her bank account one day later as she had a referral from her GP that she had provided to Lacuna Psychology. 

**Scenarios are for illustrative purposes only and not based on real patients.

Cozy living room with brown leather sofa, colorful cushions, wooden coffee table, table lamp, indoor plant, and neutral curtains.

Get support at Lacuna Psychology

Take the first step toward feeling better by booking an appointment at Lacuna Psychology. If you still have questions, try our FAQs or call our Practice Manager on (02) 4003 4804.