Cari McLerran, She/Her

Your first therapy session is usually focused on getting to know you, understanding what brings you to therapy, and discussing what kind of support may be most helpful for your goals. Many people start therapy for reasons such as anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, relationship challenges, burnout, grief, ADHD, or major life transitions, but you do not need to have everything figured out before scheduling an appointment.

During an initial session, your therapist may ask questions about your current concerns, emotional experiences, personal history, relationships, coping strategies, and what you hope to gain from therapy. This first conversation is also an opportunity for you to ask questions, learn more about the therapy process, and get a sense of whether the therapist feels like a good fit for your needs.

Therapy sessions are collaborative and move at a pace that feels manageable for you. Some people feel ready to open up quickly, while others need more time to feel comfortable. Both experiences are completely normal. If you are looking for support with a specific concern, you can also explore our pages for anxiety therapy, trauma therapy, depression counseling, ADHD therapy, teen therapy, or online therapy to learn more about the services available at Westside Behavioral Care.

Therapy can help with much more than severe mental health symptoms or crisis situations. Many people start therapy because they are:

• emotionally overwhelmed
• feeling stuck in unhealthy patterns
• struggling with anxiety or stress
• navigating relationship difficulties
• dealing with burnout or life transitions
• looking for healthier coping strategies

You do not need to wait until things feel unbearable before reaching out for help. Therapy can also support personal growth, emotional insight, communication skills, self-esteem, stress management, and overall mental wellness. Some people come to therapy with very specific goals, while others simply know that something feels difficult or emotionally exhausting and want support understanding why.

If you have been wondering whether therapy could help, there is a good chance it may be worth exploring. Starting therapy does not mean something is “wrong” with you. Many people use therapy as a proactive tool to better understand themselves, improve relationships, build healthier coping strategies, and create lasting emotional change.

You can browse therapists by specialty, insurance, location, and more to find a provider who may be a good fit for your needs.

Yes. Feeling nervous, uncertain, or emotionally uncomfortable before starting therapy is extremely common, especially if this is your first experience with counseling. Many people worry about being judged, not knowing what to say, opening up about personal experiences, or whether therapy will actually help. Others may feel anxious simply because talking about emotions can feel unfamiliar or vulnerable.

Therapy is not about having the “right” words or sharing everything immediately. A therapist’s role is to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where you can move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Many people begin therapy feeling hesitant and gradually become more comfortable as trust develops over time.

It is also common for people to start therapy while feeling emotionally overwhelmed, burned out, disconnected, anxious, depressed, uncertain, or exhausted from trying to handle everything alone. Reaching out for support does not mean you are weak or failing. For many people, starting therapy is an important step toward improving emotional health, relationships, stress management, and overall well-being.

If you are feeling nervous about getting started, you are not alone. Many of the clients we work with felt similarly before scheduling their first session.

You do not need to know exactly how to explain your emotions before starting therapy. Many people begin counseling because they feel overwhelmed, emotionally stuck, anxious, disconnected, irritable, stressed, or unsure why they are struggling in the first place. It is very common to have difficulty putting feelings into words, especially during periods of stress, trauma, burnout, grief, depression, or anxiety.

Therapists are trained to help guide conversations in a supportive and manageable way. Some people come into therapy with clear goals, while others simply know that something feels difficult and want help understanding what they are experiencing. Both are completely valid starting points.

You also do not need to share everything immediately. Therapy is a process that develops over time, and sessions are designed to move at a pace that feels emotionally safe and productive for you. As trust builds, many people find it becomes easier to explore thoughts, emotions, patterns, relationships, and experiences that previously felt difficult to talk about.

Whether you are seeking support for anxiety, trauma, depression, stress, relationship challenges, ADHD, or life transitions, therapy can help you better understand yourself and develop healthier ways of coping and communicating.

Therapy can be either short-term or long-term depending on your goals, needs, and personal situation. Some people seek therapy for support during a specific challenge, such as a stressful life transition, relationship issue, grief experience, work burnout, or increase in anxiety symptoms. In these situations, short-term therapy may focus on building coping skills, improving emotional regulation, and creating practical strategies for navigating immediate concerns.

Others choose to continue therapy for a longer period of time to work through deeper emotional patterns, unresolved trauma, chronic stress, depression, self-esteem challenges, family dynamics, or long-standing relationship difficulties. Long-term therapy can also support personal growth, self-awareness, emotional insight, and ongoing mental wellness.

There is no single “correct” timeline for therapy. Some clients attend sessions weekly, while others transition to biweekly or monthly appointments over time depending on their goals and progress. Therapy is meant to be flexible and collaborative, allowing you and your therapist to regularly discuss what feels most helpful for your situation.

If you are unsure what type of support you need, a therapist can help you determine an approach that aligns with your goals during the initial consultation or first appointment.

No. You do not need a mental health diagnosis or formal evaluation to begin therapy. Many people seek counseling because they are experiencing stress, anxiety, emotional overwhelm, relationship difficulties, burnout, grief, life transitions, low motivation, trauma symptoms, or challenges managing emotions, even if they have never been diagnosed with a mental health condition.

Therapy is not limited to people experiencing severe symptoms or psychiatric disorders. It can also help with self-awareness, communication skills, coping strategies, emotional regulation, confidence, relationship patterns, and personal growth. Some clients enter therapy with a clear understanding of what they are struggling with, while others simply know they do not feel like themselves and want support.

In some cases, a therapist may discuss possible diagnoses if they are relevant to treatment planning or insurance requirements, but having a diagnosis is not required to start the process. The focus of therapy is understanding your experiences, identifying goals, and finding supportive strategies that can improve your emotional well-being and day-to-day life.

If you are considering therapy but are unsure where to begin, browsing therapists by specialty or concern can be a helpful starting point.

Both online therapy and in-person therapy can be effective forms of mental health treatment, and many people choose the option that best fits their schedule, comfort level, location, and personal preferences. Online therapy, sometimes called virtual therapy or telehealth counseling, allows clients to attend sessions remotely using a secure video platform from home or another private location. In-person therapy takes place face-to-face at one of our Colorado office locations.

Many clients appreciate online therapy because it offers flexibility, convenience, easier scheduling, reduced commute time, and access to care from different parts of Colorado. Virtual counseling can be especially helpful for busy professionals, college students, parents, clients with transportation limitations, or individuals who prefer attending therapy from a familiar environment.

In-person therapy may feel more comfortable for clients who prefer face-to-face interaction, want a more structured separation from home and work environments, or simply feel more connected during office-based sessions.

Both formats can support concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, stress management, relationship issues, and emotional wellness. If you are unsure which option may be the best fit for you, our team can help you explore available therapists offering online therapy, in-person counseling, or hybrid appointment options.

Scheduling your first therapy appointment with Westside Behavioral Care can be done directly through this therapist’s profile, by filling out the contact form below, or by calling our office at 303-986-4197 for help finding a therapist who feels like a good fit for your needs.

Many clients begin by browsing therapists based on specialty, insurance coverage, location, age group, therapy style, and appointment availability. When reaching out, it can also be helpful to share preferences related to online or in-person therapy, areas of concern or therapy goals, scheduling availability, preferred office location, and specialty focus or age group.

Our scheduling team can help connect you with a therapist who aligns with your preferences whenever possible. If you are not exactly sure what type of support you need yet, that is completely okay. Many people begin therapy with only a general sense that they would like additional emotional support, stress management tools, or guidance through a difficult season of life.

You can also explore our pages for online therapy, anxiety counseling, trauma therapy, depression therapy, teen counseling, couples therapy, and ADHD support to learn more about available services before scheduling your first session.