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Describing your inner life in your own words can matter as much as finding a free appointment. Christine talks about language, culture and fit from the very first session.

Explaining a painful experience is hard enough. Doing it in a second language, or to someone unfamiliar with your family's expectations, can make it harder still. For many people, finding a therapist they can speak with naturally matters as much as the time and place of the appointment.

Thinking about fit

Dr Christine Shen, Acupuncturist, holds qualifications in psychotherapy and offers psychological support at the Lane Cove clinic. In a first conversation, she welcomes questions about her professional background and how she works. You are assessing fit too, and that is entirely appropriate.

Topics you might raise

• Language: which language you feel most at ease speaking about emotions in.
• Cultural context: values, traditions or community expectations you want understood.
• Family: how relatives see mental health, and whether that affects you seeking help.
• Confidentiality: what stays private and the limits that apply.
• Scope: what psychological treatment with Christine can and cannot cover.

Keeping options open

A comfortable first meeting can be a good sign, but it is not a commitment. If it becomes clear that another kind of support or a different service would suit you better, Christine will say so and help you think about next steps. Your GP can also be a useful partner in arranging other care if needed.

Shaping the work together

Therapy should make space for what you consider important. You can talk about what you hope to understand, which patterns feel stubborn and how you would recognise that things are shifting. It is reasonable to ask Christine how often you will step back and look at progress, and what help is available if your circumstances change between sessions.

If you are facing a crisis or feel unsafe, contact emergency services or a crisis support line immediately rather than waiting for an appointment.

A first step that feels manageable

Some people prefer to start with a brief phone enquiry before committing to a session. However you begin, you can share as much or as little as feels right at first, and Christine will follow your lead about pace when you meet in Lane Cove.