Taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming, especially if you have never talked with a psychologist before or aren’t sure what to expect. My goal is to make the process as comfortable and straightforward as possible.
It Starts With a Brief Phone Conversation
One of the strongest predictors of successful therapy is finding a therapist who feels like a good fit. For that reason, I offer a complimentary 10–15 minute phone consultation. During this conversation, we’ll briefly discuss what brings you to therapy, answer any questions you may have, and determine whether my approach seems like a good fit for your needs.
There is no obligation after our phone conversation. The purpose is simply to help us decide whether working together feels like the right next step.
If we choose to move forward, we’ll schedule your first appointment. Before we meet, I’ll ask you to review some important information and complete the new client forms so we can spend our first session focusing on you rather than paperwork.
Your First Appointment
When you arrive, please make yourself comfortable in the waiting room. Feel free to help yourself to coffee, tea, or water while you wait. I’ll come out to greet you shortly.
During our first appointment, I want to understand what brings you to therapy and hear about the concerns that are most important to you. We’ll also begin talking about your personal history and experiences so I can develop a thorough understanding of your situation. This process usually takes one or two sessions.
Just as I am getting to know you, I encourage you to consider whether you feel comfortable with me and whether my approach feels like a good fit. Finding the right therapist is an important part of successful therapy.
You don’t need to know exactly what to say or have everything figured out before coming to therapy. We will work together to understand what is bringing you in and determine where you would like to begin.
Continuing Therapy
If you decide to continue therapy, I generally recommend beginning with weekly sessions, although we may meet more or less frequently depending on your needs and goals.
After the first session or two, we will develop treatment goals together. Some people seek therapy for a specific concern and benefit from shorter-term counseling, while others choose longer-term therapy to address deeper or more longstanding patterns. Together, we’ll determine an approach that best supports your goals.
If you’re considering therapy or simply have questions about the process, I invite you to contact me to schedule a complimentary 10–15 minute phone consultation. Together, we’ll determine whether working together feels like the right fit.