Initial Contact
The thought of counseling can sometimes feel overwhelming or scary due to the unknown. However, my hope is that you feel comfortable making the first step towards your emotional and wellness goals.
Phone Consultation
The phone consultation allows for us to get to know each other before an initial session. Secondly, this provides an opportunity for you to decide if we are a good fit for each other. Thirdly, the phone consultation gives you a chance to ask questions you have about therapy, as well as discuss the rates for the type of service that best suits your needs.
Make an Appointment
If it feels right, we’ll go ahead and schedule an appointment over the phone. I’ll try to find a convenient time that works with your schedule and get you on track toward therapeutic change and being a better you.
For new clients, you can also select the button below to schedule an appointment through the Simple Practice portal.
Complete Paperwork
Once your appointment is scheduled, I’ll give you instructions for filling out the necessary online paperwork on the Simple Practice portal. By having this paperwork done ahead of time, we’ll have more time to get to know each other and talk about the things you’re actually there to talk about in your first counseling session.
For play therapy, family therapy, couples therapy, or individual counseling services, new client paperwork includes:
- Child, Adult, or Couples Intake Questionnaire
- Informed Consent for Services
- Notice of Privacy Policies
- Practice Policies
- Payment Agreement & Authorization for Credit Card Use
Attend Your First Session
Don’t forget to complete your paperwork online before the session!
Once you arrive, make yourself comfortable in our waiting room, and I will come get you when ready.
The first session is really a time for us to get to know each other and discuss your hopes and needs. We’ll talk about what is happening in your life in whatever way you feel comfortable and about the direction you’d like to go. All you need to do is just be yourself.
What are Sessions Like?
In the first and second sessions we will discuss confidentiality, the process of therapy, including your expectations for counseling. In addition, we will begin to focus on potential areas of strength and improvement.
The following sessions will allow us to outline what things you would like to change. Additionally, they will include how we will measure specific goals for therapy, and what it will look like when you reach them.
Throughout therapy, we will discuss the progress and decide if we need to change goals, add goals, or be done with therapy.
When do Sessions End?
Some clients need only a few counseling sessions to achieve their goals, while others may require more. As a client, you have the right to end therapy at any time. Should you choose to end your counseling sessions, I only ask that you return for one final session to discuss progress and create a plan for your life outside of therapy.