All of us at the Counseling Center Group 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.
Cordell Office Location and Parking
Address:
4825 Cordell Ave
2nd Floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
Metro Access:
If you are taking the metro our Cordell office is on the Red Line and in between the Bethesda metro stop and Medical Center metro stop, and both are about a 15 minute walk.
Parking:
Recommend metered street parking or the following parking garages:
Woodmont/Rugby Garage (2 min walk) 8216 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
Palisades Garage (2 min walk) 4818 Del Ray Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
Entry:
Our offices are located on the second floor of the Capital One Bank Building in the Bethesda Green office suite. Once you enter the bank, go up the stairs and through the door located at the top of the stairs. Please wait on the couches in the lobby space near the Bethesda Green signage. Your therapist will be out to greet you at your scheduled appointment time.
We look forward to welcoming you!
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.
