Starting Counseling at Morning Star

A Gentle Guide to Your First Visit with Therapist Kayla Prange

By Kayla Prange

Hey everyone! Thanks so much for being here!

I thought I’d pop in and share a little bit about myself and a little behind-the-scenes look at what you can expect during your first counseling appointment with me, Kayla, at Morning Star Counseling. 

Before we get into what that first visit looks like, I’d love to take a moment to introduce myself so you can get a sense of who I am and what it might feel like to sit down together. 

Starting with my experience…

I have a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in marriage, couples, and family counseling. I have spent most of my career working with individuals and families experiencing poverty, major medical challenges, and individuals who have physical or intellectual disabilities. I have a strong background with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients, and I have also spent some time in the career counseling field. I am licensed as an Associate Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania. 

My goal in therapy…

is to help you navigate life’s difficult challenges. I am happy to listen to your story and empathize during difficult moments. I aim to provide a safe and comforting space for you to share what is going on in your life. And together, we can come up with a plan to help you meet your goals and heal in the way you need.

My approach to counseling… 

is to be curious and kind. I believe we are all different, and therefore, I use different types of counseling approaches to help each person in the way they need it. 

Now that you know a little more about me, let’s dive into the first visit and what it can look like.

Trying something new isn’t always easy. You might walk in feeling anxious, nervous, overwhelmed, or even a mix of a lot of emotions, and that’s completely okay. Sometimes, simply knowing what to expect can help ease some of those nerves, especially in a space where you may be talking about difficult or personal things. 

When you arrive at Morning Star Counseling, you’ll see signs guiding you to the waiting room. That’s your space to settle in and relax until your therapist comes out to greet you. While you’re there, feel free to grab a cup of coffee, hot tea, or cold water from the fridge. Restrooms are also available if you need them. 

When I come out to meet you, I’ll introduce myself and check in to see if you’d like a drink or need to use the restroom before we head back to my office. Once we’re settled in, I’ll usually start with a simple question: “How are you feeling about being here today?” It’s a gentle way to acknowledge any nerves and begin creating a calm, supportive environment while also giving you a sense of how the session will flow. 

Next, we’ll briefly review the paperwork you completed with our administrative team. This includes consent forms, billing information, policies, and releases of information. I know it can feel like a lot, so I always make space for any questions you might have. 

From there, I’ll go over confidentiality and its limits, helping you understand how your privacy is protected, as well as the situations where confidentiality may need to be broken due to safety concerns. You’ll have time to ask questions here, too. 

Then we’ll move into the intake process. This part is all about getting to know you: what brought you to counseling, what you’ve been experiencing, your goals, and some background information. There’s no pressure to share everything at once. You can go at your own pace, and we can always revisit anything in future sessions if we run out of time. 

As we wrap up, I like to provide a summary and reflect on what I’ve heard to make sure I’m understanding you correctly. We’ll also talk about next steps and future sessions, and I’ll check in one more time before we end. 

I hope that you leave feeling a little more at ease and supported. And just as important, if it doesn’t feel like the right fit with me as your therapist, that’s okay too. I’m always happy to help connect you with someone who might be a better match. If it does feel like a good fit, we can go ahead and schedule your next appointment. 

It’s also important to note that this is a look into what I, Kayla Prange, provide during a first visit. Every therapist has their own style and approach, so your experience may look a little different depending on who you see. Regardless, the goal at Morning Star Counseling remains the same: to help you feel supported, heard, and cared for.

Whew, that’s a lot for a first session, right? But honestly, it tends to go by pretty quickly! 

I hope this gives you a helpful glimpse into the process. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our administrative team. We’re always here to help!