All of us at the Counseling Center Group of Brooklyn want to congratulate you on taking the first step towards living a life you love. You might be wondering what this first appointment will look like. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect, so you can arrive feeling more at ease and informed.
Intake Process
You’ve likely been sent an invite via email from TherapyPortal to create an account using our client portal. On the portal, you will find all required paperwork that needs to be completed prior to your first appointment. Paperwork includes:
- CCG Office Policies
- Consent Forms
- Client History Form
- Client Information Form
- Emergency Contacts Form
If you have questions regarding any of these forms, don’t hesitate to reach out beforehand—we’re happy to walk you through them.
Brooklyn Office Location and Parking
Address:
26 Court Street
Brooklyn NY 11242
Metro/Subway Access:
Our Brooklyn office is located on the border of Brooklyn Heights and Downtown Brooklyn. 26 Court Street is a 2-minute walk from the 2/3/4/5 trains (Borough Hall) and the R train (Court Street), and a 5-minute walk from A/C/F trains (Jay St-MetroTech).
Parking:
In addition to metered street parking, there are a number of parking garages within a 5-minute walk of our Brooklyn office, including:
- ICON Parking at 180 Montague Street
- ICON Parking at 85 Livingston Street
- SP+ Parking at 300 Cadman Plaza West
Entry:
The building entrance is fully staffed, and there is no need to check or sign in with the doorperson. Your clinician will inform you via email before your first session on which of our office suites you will be meeting in: 1304 or 2208.
Suite 1304: If your session will be held in suite 1304, walk straight to the left side elevator bank and take the elevator to the 13th floor. Turn right off of the elevator and enter suite 1304, which will be unlocked. Have a seat in the waiting room and your clinician will come find you at your appointment time.
Suite 2208: If your session will be held in suite 2208, walk straight to the right side elevator bank and take the elevator to the 22nd floor. Suite 2208 is opposite the elevators; to access the suite, enter the code on the keypad provided to you in your confirmation email. Have a seat in the waiting room and your clinician will come find you at your appointment time.
Helpful Tips for Your First Visit
Your first session is an opportunity for your therapist to get to know you—what brought you in, what’s been on your mind, and how you’ve been feeling.
- Plan to arrive a few minutes early to get settled.
- Bring any questions or notes you want to reference.
- Dress comfortably—this is your space to relax and be yourself.
It’s okay if you don’t know exactly where to start—your therapist will help guide the conversation.
After the Session
It’s normal to leave your first session feeling a mix of things—relief, hope, exhaustion, uncertainty. You might even wonder if you “said the right things.” The truth is, there’s no right or wrong way to show up. Just by taking that first step, you’ve already done something brave and important. The CCG clinician and intake teams are also always available to answer any questions and to help you navigate your time at the Counseling Center Group.
