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  3. Wellbeing FAQ
  4. What happens at my first appointment?
Can I contact Meridian Wellbeing Services in a crisis or emergency? How can I make an enquiry or referral? Am I eligible for your services? What’s the cost? How many sessions can I access? Is there a waitlist? Do you only see people face-to-face? Do I need a referral from a health professional or a doctor? Do I need a Mental Health Care Plan? What can I talk about? What happens at my first appointment? What information will I need to provide at my first appointment? Are the appointments confidential? What if I need to change, cancel or miss an appointment? What are my rights and responsibilities as a client of your service? What are the rights and responsibilities of carers of clients of your service? What if I don’t like the clinician or the therapy? Can I get a medical certificate? How do I find Meridian?

What happens at my first appointment?

Answer

We understand that, for a lot of people, taking the first step of attending a counselling or psychology appointment can be stressful or intimidating. Your first appointment with a counsellor or psychologist is called a care planning session. In this session we will:

  • get to know each other and ensure you feel safe and supported
  • talk about the service, including confidentiality and safety
  • begin a conversation about what has brought you to the service and how we can help support you
  • learn about your unique circumstances and lived experience
  • discuss your goals to guide the planning of your segment of care.

In circumstances where you have other support needs, our Clinical Care Coordinator may reach out to discuss how we can best support you.