Your First Therapy Appointment in Glen Ellyn

Feeling nervous before your first therapy appointment is completely understandable.

You may wonder, “What if I do not know what to say?” Or, “What if I become emotional?” There is no need to have your whole story organized before you arrive. You do not need to know exactly what you need. Your therapist will guide the conversation with care.

At Fash Counseling, your first therapy appointment in Glen Ellyn, IL is a chance to begin building trust. It is also an opportunity to decide whether the therapist feels like a good fit for you.
Fash Counseling offers in-person therapy at 550 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 201, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137. You can also access secure virtual therapy across Illinois and Arizona.

Before Your First Therapy Appointment in Glen Ellyn, IL

Your first appointment usually begins before you enter the therapy room.
You may complete new client intake therapy paperwork online or when you arrive. These forms help your therapist understand your needs and explain important practice policies.
Your paperwork may include:

• Contact and emergency information
• Insurance details
• Medical and mental health history
• Current medications
• Consent for treatment
• Privacy and HIPAA information
• Practice policies and cancellation procedures
• Screening questionnaires

Try to complete the forms honestly. There are no “right” answers.

If a question feels confusing, you can ask for clarification. You can also tell your therapist when you are not ready to discuss something in detail.

Getting to the Glen Ellyn Office

Your in-person session takes place at:
Fash Counseling
550 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 201
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

Give yourself enough time to travel, park, and find the suite without rushing. Arriving a few minutes early may help your body settle.
If you prefer not to travel, virtual therapy may be another option. Fash Counseling provides online therapy across Illinois and Arizona, depending on therapist availability and licensure.
You can learn more about the Glen Ellyn therapy location or contact Fash Counseling with questions.

What Happens During the First Therapy Session?

Most first therapy sessions last approximately 50 to 60 minutes.

The structure may vary. However, your first therapy session in Glen Ellyn will often include the following steps.

1. You and your therapist introduce yourselves

Your therapist may explain their background, approach, and what sessions typically look like.
You can share basic information about yourself. You do not need to provide every detail immediately.
This first conversation helps you begin getting comfortable with each other.

2. You review confidentiality and logistics

Your therapist will explain confidentiality and its limits. You can ask questions at any point.
You may also discuss:

• Session length and frequency
• Fees and payment
• Insurance billing
• Cancellation policies
• Communication between appointments
• Telehealth procedures, if applicable

These details can make therapy feel more predictable.

3. You talk about what brought you in

Your therapist may ask:

• What made you seek therapy now?
• What feels most difficult?
• How are your concerns affecting daily life?
• What support have you tried before?
• What would you like to feel or do differently?

You can answer in your own words. A perfect explanation is not necessary.
You might say, “I have been overwhelmed,” or “I know something feels wrong, but I cannot explain it.” That is enough to begin.

4. You discuss your background

Your therapist may ask about your personal and family history.
They may ask about:

• Previous therapy or psychiatric care
• Significant relationships
• Current stressors
• Work, school, or parenting responsibilities
• Sleep and appetite
• Medical conditions
• Substance use
• Trauma or difficult experiences

Safety concerns, including self-harm or suicidal thoughts
Some questions may feel personal. Your therapist asks them to understand the whole picture and provide safe, appropriate care.
You can let your therapist know if you need to slow down.

5. You identify early goals

First goals do not need to be highly specific.
You may want to sleep better, feel less anxious, communicate differently, process grief, or understand your emotions. Or perhaps you may simply want to feel more like yourself.
Your therapist may help you turn these concerns into practical treatment goals over time.
Progress is not always immediate or linear. The first appointment is the beginning of the process, not a test you must pass.

What Should You Bring?

Bringing a few helpful items can make your first appointment easier.
Consider bringing:

• A photo ID
• Your insurance card
• A list of current medications
• Relevant medical information
• Questions for your therapist
• Notes about your main concerns
• A calendar for scheduling follow-up sessions

You can also write down what “better” might look like for you.
That might mean fewer panic attacks, improved communication, more energy, or greater confidence. Small changes matter.

How Payment and Insurance Work

Fash Counseling accepts more than eight in-network insurance plans. These include:

• Aetna
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Cigna
• UnitedHealthcare and Optum
• Medicare
• Humana
• EAP
• TriWest
• ComPsych

Coverage can depend on your plan, deductible, copay, and benefits.
Fash Counseling can help verify your insurance before your appointment. Still, it is wise to confirm behavioral health benefits with your insurance provider.
If you are paying privately, ask about the self-pay rate before your first session. Discussing payment openly can reduce uncertainty.

Meet the Glen Ellyn Therapy Team

Fash Counseling’s Glen Ellyn therapists support children, teens, adults, and families.

Jordan Frees, MSW, LSW offers a collaborative and conversational approach. Jordan supports clients with anxiety, ADHD, grief, emotional regulation, life transitions, and relationship concerns.

Noelle Dragon, MS, LPC works with children, adolescents, young adults, and adults. Her areas of support include trauma, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, and personality-related concerns.

Patrick Keclik, MSW, LCSW, EMDR is Fash Counseling’s Lead Clinical Supervisor. He provides trauma-informed care and is trained in EMDR, play therapy, and DBT. Patrick serves clients in Illinois and Arizona.

Jeanette Garza, MA, LCPC supports older teens, adults, and families. Her work includes anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, emotional regulation, communication, and life transitions.

Therapist availability may change. Contact the practice to discuss which provider may best match your needs.

Understanding Confidentiality

Your therapy conversations are generally private. HIPAA establishes federal privacy protections for protected health information.
Your therapist will explain how your information is used and stored. They will also discuss when information may be shared with your permission.
There are limited exceptions to confidentiality. These may include:

• An immediate and serious safety risk
• Suspected abuse or neglect
• A legal requirement, such as a court order
• Certain care coordination or billing situations

The exact rules can depend on the circumstances and applicable law. Ask your therapist to explain anything that feels unclear.
You can review general information about HIPAA through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Questions You Can Ask Your Therapist

The first appointment is also for you to evaluate the therapist. You might ask:

• What experience do you have with concerns like mine?
• What therapy approaches do you use?
• How structured are your sessions?
• Will we work on skills, insight, or both?
• How often do you recommend meeting?
• Do you provide homework between sessions?
• What are the limits of confidentiality?
• How will we measure progress?

Asking questions does not make you difficult. It helps you make an informed choice.

What If the Therapist Is Not the Right Fit?

A strong therapeutic relationship takes time. Still, you should feel respected, heard, and emotionally safe.
You may prefer a different therapist if the communication style, approach, identity awareness, or treatment focus does not feel right.
That does not mean therapy failed. It means you learned something important about what you need.
You can speak with Fash Counseling about another provider. The practice has 21 licensed therapists, more than 20 specialized treatment areas, and a diverse team offering inclusive, culturally responsive care.

After Your First Therapy Appointment

You may feel relieved, tired, hopeful, emotional, or uncertain afterward.
All of these reactions can happen. Talking about difficult experiences can take energy.
Your therapist may suggest a small exercise or reflection before the next session. They may also recommend scheduling regular appointments.
Follow-up sessions often build on the first conversation. You may explore patterns, learn coping tools, process past experiences, or practice new ways of communicating.
Some weeks may feel productive. Other weeks may feel harder. Progress can be uneven, and setbacks do not erase your growth.
Fash Counseling has served clients for nine years. The practice has a 4.9-star average rating from more than 1,500 clients supported.

How to Get Started

Taking the first step can feel intimidating. You do not have to solve everything before reaching out.
To begin:

• Contact Fash Counseling.
• Ask about therapist availability in Glen Ellyn.
• Verify your insurance and benefits.
• Schedule your first appointment.
• Complete your intake paperwork.
• Bring your questions and arrive as you are.

Whether you choose in-person therapy in Glen Ellyn or virtual therapy across Illinois and Arizona, support is available.
Your first appointment does not require you to have all the answers. It only asks you to begin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I expect at my first therapy appointment in Glen Ellyn, IL?
You can expect introductions, intake questions, a discussion of confidentiality, and a conversation about your goals. Most first sessions last about 50 to 60 minutes.

Do I need to know what to talk about?
No. You can bring a general concern or simply explain that you feel overwhelmed. Your therapist will guide the conversation.

Can I choose between in-person and virtual therapy?
Yes. Fash Counseling offers in-person therapy at its Glen Ellyn office and virtual therapy across Illinois and Arizona, subject to therapist availability and licensure.

What should I bring to my first therapy session in Glen Ellyn?
Bring your photo ID, insurance card, medication information, and any questions. You may also bring notes about your concerns and goals.

Is therapy confidential?
Therapy is generally private under HIPAA and professional confidentiality rules. Your therapist will explain limited exceptions involving safety, abuse or neglect, and certain legal requirements.

What if I do not feel comfortable with my therapist?
You can discuss your concerns with your therapist or ask Fash Counseling about another provider. Finding the right fit is an important part of care.

Does Fash Counseling accept insurance?
Fash Counseling accepts more than eight in-network plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare/Optum, Medicare, Humana, EAP, TriWest, and ComPsych. Verify your specific benefits before scheduling.