Booking your first therapy session can feel like a big step. Not knowing what to expect is one of the most common reasons people delay getting help. Here is what actually happens — step by step.
Before the session
You book a slot online, by phone or on WhatsApp and choose whether to come in person or join online. You don’t need to prepare anything special, but it can help to note down what has been troubling you, since when, and what you hope will change.
Your first consultation
- A safe, confidential start — the psychologist explains confidentiality and its limits (for example, if someone’s safety is at risk).
- Your story, at your pace — you talk about what brings you in. There are no right or wrong things to say.
- Background questions — sleep, appetite, work or studies, relationships, health and any previous treatment.
- Initial understanding — by the end, you should have a first explanation of what might be happening.
Assessment, if needed
Sometimes standardised questionnaires or psychological tests help clarify the picture — for example, separating anxiety from ADHD, or measuring the severity of depression. Tests are recommended only when they answer a clear question.
Your treatment plan
Based on the assessment, the therapist suggests an approach — such as CBT, ACT, DBT, couple therapy or a combination — with goals, an expected number of sessions and how progress will be reviewed.
Regular sessions
- At Mind Detox Centre the first session is 40 minutes and follow-ups are 40–45 minutes, often weekly at first.
- You review the week, work on a specific goal and practise skills.
- Many therapies include short “homework” between sessions — a thought record, a breathing exercise or a small behaviour change.
- Progress is reviewed regularly, and the plan is adjusted if needed.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a therapy session?
At Mind Detox Centre the first session is 40 minutes and follow-up sessions are 40–45 minutes. An individual session costs ₹2,500 and a couple session ₹3,000.
Is what I say in therapy kept confidential?
Yes. Everything you share is kept confidential, except in rare situations where there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else.
Can I have therapy sessions online?
Yes. Online sessions by video call work well for most concerns and are available across India and abroad.
Talk to a professional
If this article sounds familiar, you don’t have to work it out alone. Book a confidential session with Dr. Rabya Umman at Vasant Kunj, New Friends Colony or online.
Related services
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for a professional assessment. If you are in crisis, call Tele-MANAS 14416 (free, 24×7).
