Taking That First Step Is the Hardest Part

If you've never been to therapy before, it's completely normal to feel a little uncertain about what you're walking into. What happens when you get there? What do you say? Will it be awkward? Will it feel like lying on a couch while someone scribbles notes and nods?

The honest answer: it's nothing like that.

In-person therapy at Lionheart Counseling is a real conversation between you and someone who genuinely wants to understand what you're going through. This page is here to walk you through exactly what to expect, from the moment you book to the moment you leave your first session, so you can walk through the door with a little less uncertainty and a little more confidence.

Where You'll Be Coming

Lionheart Counseling LLC is located at:

5296 S Commerce Dr, Suite 206 Murray, UT 84107

It’s conveniently located in Murray right off of the 5300 South I-15 exit ramp on the east side of the highway with parking available right outside. You don't need to worry about hunting for a spot or navigating a complicated building. Suite 206 is on the second floor. There is an elevator as well as stairs in the main lobby area. When you arrive, you'll find a comfortable waiting area where you can sit until your session begins.

In-person sessions are available Tuesday through Friday.

Before Your First Session

After you book your first appointment, you'll receive some brief intake paperwork to complete beforehand. This covers basic background information, what brings you to therapy, and some administrative details like insurance and consent. It takes about 10–15 minutes and can be completed from your phone or computer.

Getting it done ahead of time means your first session can be spent on what actually matters, rather than filling out forms.

If you have any questions before your appointment, you're always welcome to reach out by email or phone. There are no dumb questions, and it's completely okay to feel nervous.

What the First Session Actually Looks Like

Your first session is not about fixing everything. It's about getting to know each other.

Dax will start by welcoming you and making sure you feel comfortable. From there, the conversation typically covers:

• What brought you to therapy — you don't need a polished explanation. Just sharing where you're at is enough.

• A bit of your background — things like your family, relationships, work, and any relevant history that helps paint a picture of who you are and what you've been through.

• What you're hoping to get out of therapy — your goals don't have to be perfectly formed. Even something like "I just want to feel less stuck" is a completely valid starting point.

• Any questions you have — about the process, about what therapy will look like, about anything at all.

The goal of that first session is simple: for you to leave feeling heard, a little clearer, and like you made the right decision by showing up.

What a Typical Session Feels Like

Sessions at Lionheart Counseling are 50-60 minutes long. You'll sit across from Dax in a private, comfortable room. Just a real conversation in a space that's designed to feel calm and safe. The office provides free snacks and drinks for your enjoyment as well.

Dax's style is warm, direct, and genuinely curious. He's not going to sit quietly and just nod while you talk. He's going to engage, ask questions, push back gently when it's helpful, and meet you where you are — whether that's in crisis, or just quietly stuck, or somewhere in between.

Some sessions will feel like breakthroughs. Others will feel slower, more exploratory. Both kinds are part of the process, and both are valuable.

What You Don't Have to Worry About

A lot of first-time therapy clients worry about things that turn out to not be issues at all. A few worth naming:

You don't have to have it all figured out. You don't need to know exactly what's wrong or be able to articulate it perfectly. Coming in and saying "I don't even know where to start" is a completely fine place to begin.

You're not going to be judged. Whatever you've been through, whatever you've done, whatever you're ashamed of — Dax has heard hard things before. The therapy room is one of the few places where you can be completely honest without worrying about what someone thinks of you.

You're in control of what you share. Therapy works best when you feel safe enough to be open, but you're never pressured to go somewhere you're not ready to go. You set the pace.

It's confidential. Everything you share in session stays in session. There are very limited legal exceptions — such as immediate risk of harm — but outside of those, your privacy is completely protected.

How Often Will You Come?

Most people start with weekly sessions. Meeting weekly gives the work enough momentum to actually build — you'll start noticing patterns, making connections, and seeing things shift. Over time, as things improve, sessions can become less frequent.

There's no set timeline for how long therapy takes. It depends entirely on what you're working on and what your goals are. Some people benefit from a few focused months. Others find ongoing support valuable for longer. That's always a conversation you and Dax have together — you're never locked in.

In-Person vs. Telehealth — Which Is Right for You?

Both options are available at Lionheart Counseling, and both are effective. Some people prefer the dedicated, distraction-free space of coming into the office. There's something about physically leaving your daily environment and sitting in a room specifically designed for this kind of conversation that helps people open up more fully.

If you're local to Murray, South Jordan, Sandy, Draper, Midvale, or the greater Salt Lake Valley, in-person therapy is a great option. If distance, schedule, or preference makes telehealth a better fit, that's available too — and just as effective.

Ready to Come In?

You don't have to have the right words. You don't have to know exactly what you need. You just have to take the first step.

Book a session directly and Dax will take it from there.

Book a Session

In-Person Therapy — Lionheart Counseling LLC

Address: 5296 S Commerce Dr, Suite 206, Murray, UT 84107 Hours: Tuesday – Friday (by appointment) Phone: (801) 921-7854 Email: dax@lionheartcounselingllc.com

Telehealth therapy also available statewide throughout Utah.

Dax Johnson is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC, #13937032-6004) in the state of Utah, licensed through the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL).