Starting therapy in a new city can bring two kinds of uncertainty at once. You may be wondering whether therapy is right for you, while also trying to understand how appointments work locally. A first session should help make both questions clearer.
You do not need to prepare a complete account of your life, choose the perfect words or know exactly what kind of support you need. The first meeting is a conversation in which you and the therapist begin to understand what has brought you there and whether working together feels appropriate.
Before the appointment
Confirm the practical details in advance: the address or online platform, start time, session length, fee and payment method. For an online meeting, choose a private place with a reliable connection and use headphones if that helps you speak more freely.
If you plan to request reimbursement from an insurer or employer, check their requirements directly. Ask what documents they need and whether they place conditions on the practitioner’s qualifications or the country in which the session takes place. Receiving an invoice does not by itself guarantee reimbursement.
It can be useful to write down one or two reasons why you are seeking therapy now. These can be broad: “I feel overwhelmed,” “I keep having the same conflict,” or “I am finding this transition harder than expected.” That is enough to begin.
What you may talk about
The therapist may ask what is currently difficult, how long it has been affecting you and what you would like to change. They may also ask about important relationships, work, health, previous support or significant events. You can say when a question feels difficult or when you are not ready to discuss something in detail.
For international clients, context matters. Relocation, language, family expectations, work culture, identity and distance from familiar support systems can shape an experience. Explain terms or customs that are important to your story; you do not need to assume that they are already understood.
Therapy is collaborative. The first session is not an examination, and you are not expected to present a diagnosis. It is reasonable to ask why particular information is relevant and how it may inform the work.
Questions you can ask the therapist
A good first appointment leaves time for your questions. You might ask:
- How do you usually work with concerns like mine?
- How will we agree on goals and review progress?
- What session frequency would you initially suggest?
- What are the confidentiality arrangements and their limits?
- How are appointments scheduled, changed or cancelled?
- What happens if either of us thinks another professional would be more suitable?
You can also ask about qualifications, professional registration and experience working in English. Fluency matters, but so does feeling that you can express nuance, ask for clarification and discuss cultural differences without embarrassment.
Deciding whether the fit feels right
You do not have to decide everything during the first hour. After the meeting, consider whether you felt listened to, whether the therapist’s explanations were clear and whether you could imagine speaking openly over time. A useful therapeutic relationship can still involve discomfort, but you should be able to raise questions or concerns about the process.
Practical fit matters too. The fee, location, available times and online arrangements need to be sustainable. Consistency is easier when attending does not create a recurring logistical problem.
The first therapist you meet may or may not be the right person for you. Asking for time to think, requesting clarification or deciding not to continue are all legitimate choices.
In-person and online sessions with Sabina Dumitrescu
Sabina Dumitrescu offers psychotherapy in English and Romanian. In-person appointments take place at Str. Puțul lui Zamfir 60, in the Dorobanți area of Bucharest, near Piața Dorobanți and Piața Floreasca. Online appointments can be discussed when you enquire, including your location and whether this format is suitable.
An individual session lasts 60 minutes and costs €99. Appointments are arranged Monday to Friday. Invoices are available; any reimbursement depends on the rules of your insurer or employer.
To request an appointment, call +40 722 648 650 or email sabina.dumitrescu@gmail.com. In your first message, mention your preferred language, whether you prefer an in-person or online meeting, and a few times that could work. Avoid sending sensitive personal or medical details by ordinary email.
Read more about therapy in English.
Finding an English-speaking therapist in Bucharest: where to start