Consultation & Starting Therapy

20 MINUTE FREE CONSULTATION, PHONE UNLESS OTHERWISE ARRANGED

Designed for you to share the purpose of therapy and for us both to ask questions to decide if we are a good fit to schedule an intake session.

There is no commitment to schedule a first session after the consultation.

Once therapy begins, you are also able to decide after each session if you would like to schedule another session.

Planning 1st Session (Intake Session)

Safety

I work diligently to provide a safe space and I realize each client walks into my office with unique experiences that nurture feeling safe in a variety of ways. For instance, some clients like to have a blanket, or a drink of water. Others like to have their phone near them. We mutually explore how each person participating in therapy can feel safe and find belonging and acceptance in and out of the therapy room, so each person can share their story and perspective of both the problem and desired outcomes (goals)in an environment of mutual respect which promotes healthy and healing connections.

Who will attend?

Some clients like to do individual sessions we will explore who in their system is impacted by the problem or who is key in supporting you and if anyone else may be helpful to have there. One example would be if one partner is struggling with something, some times individual sessions are well suited and other times your spouse or partner participating in therapy can nurture mutual understanding and support. For children, parents are often invited to be active participants in some or all sessions, depending on the issue and the child’s age. We can explore this in context with what you are coming to therapy for and what your goals are.

Paperwork

We will discuss if you are able to fill out paperwork online or if you would prefer to come 30 to 45 minutes early to fill it out in the paperwork in the waiting room before the session.

Paperwork for Children

We will discuss who the client is. Some parents choose to have the child be the client and some choose to have an entire family or those living in the household as the clients. If the child is the client, I will still include parents as active participants and we will clearly establish who is the client.

Depending on the age of the child, the child may or may not be attending the first session. I appreciate an opportunity for the parents to voice their concerns and view of the problem without the child(red) present. When children are present they are included in conversations by word and eye contact.

If a child is attending therapy I typically need both parents to sign forms. If one parent/legal guardian will not be present during the first session, they can fill out the forms online or come to the office and sign before the first session. If parents are divorced and not living together I appreciate an opportunity to introduce myself to both parents over the phone before beginning therapy.

BEGINNING THERAPY

Once you begin therapy, you decide each time you come if you want to reschedule another appointment. 

FIRST & SECOND SESSION(S)

One thing I like to explore in our first session are ways you currently have to connect to peace and comfort in your life. I have some strategies we can discuss to add to your list; or begin a list if this is something you struggle with.

Often clients are a bit anxious the first time they come to therapy; that is normal. I will email you documents before this session. Most clients find it helpful to fill these out a couple of days before we meet so I can read the information before our first session. However, I will also have physical copies in my office for those that may be overwhelmed by filling them out at home. to fill them out in my office. We will review this paperwork together also. I will want to get to know you, your situation,  and goals.  I am going to list some questions that are helpful for me to know the answers to. Feel free to think through these before our first session, if you choose. 

For some people, thinking and remembering can be difficult when they are meeting someone for the first time, so even writing down the answers is helpful for some clients. We will likely begin a timeline that we can add some of this information to along with other events and people that have impacted your life.

Questions Helpful to Consider Before Our First Session

Note: Questions are designed to get to know you and how to best support you; not to judge you. There are no “right” or “wrong” answers. You are worth getting to know and worthy of finding more joy in your life.

What is the Problem or Concern that is Difficult for You

1. What brings you to counseling at this time?

2. Who initiated therapy (if multiple people are involved)?

2. What motivated you to come to therapy now? Has there been a specific event or situation?

3. When did this problem/issue first begin? Has this problem/issue been a part of your life before?

4. When does this problem/issue get worse?

Goals

5. Often clients have tried many solutions before coming to therapy. Have you tried to work toward this goal? If so, what have you already tried?

6. What would it look like to have this problem solved?

7. What are some ways counseling/therapy can help (or hope it could help, there are no wrong answers)?

About You

8. Tell me about your culture including culture, ethnicity, language(s), beliefs, gender and values that help you make decisions. I will make note of what is important to you and we will collaboratively use this as a guide to support you as you work toward your goals in ways that are meaningful to you. 

9. Tell me about what you enjoyed as a child?

10. What are some things you do for fun that you look forward to now?

11. What was difficult for you as a child?

12. What are some challenges faced growing up (social, emotional, educational, mental, spiritual, etc.)?

13. What are some challenges you have face now (social, emotional, educational, mental, spiritual, etc.)?

14. What are times you felt joy growing up?

15. When were times you felt less safe growing up?

16. What are times you have felt joy as an adult?

17. When have been times you felt less safe as an adult?

18. When have been times you have felt at your best in life?

Your Relationships

19. When you were a child, who did you turn to when you needed help or needed connection?

20. Who do you turn to now for help or connection?

21. When you were growing up how were conflicts handled?

22. How do you handle conflicts in your relationships now?

23. What would you like to have less of in your relationships?

24. What would you like to have more of in your relationships?

Previous Experience with Therapy

25. Have you been to therapy before? If so, how did it go? What worked? What was not helpful?

26. Have other people you care about been to therapy? Is there something about their experience that would be helpful for me to know?

SESSION FREQUENCY

Typically, the first 5 to 6 sessions are weekly, to gain clarity and momentum toward your goals. Often weekly or biweekly sessions are maintained until goals are close to being met and we may decide to schedule a couple monthly visits to evaluate continued progress. 

THERAPY IS OFTEN BITTER SWEET IN THE BEGINNING

In general, at the beginning of therapy, many find working toward change uncomfortable and that is one reason having a therapist to walk with you through change can provide needed comforting and assurance. At the beginning clients may say, “I have been waiting to meet with you again,” and then they explain things they are beginning to notice in life they had not noticed before. This is because awareness is increased.

This is one reason I begin with seeking to understand your resources and encouraging the use of calming and coping tools you currently have along with practicing and increasing the use of new strategies. I seek to provide individuals and families with information and experiences to understand benefits, believe in the process, and feel supported and safe along the journey.

ARE READY FOR THIS JOURNEY? YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO IT ALONE.

In my experience, client’s pain did not begin with them; however, they are the ones who must face it to be set free. I enjoy reading quotes and thinking about how some quotes may feel true for some people and not true for others. Here are a few that my help you as you decide if now is a the right time for therapy and if I may be a good fit. I believe your pain did not begin with you; however, you are the one who must face it to be set free, AND you do not need to face it alone. Thank you for taking time to explore my website and devote time to consider the direction you are heading and if it would be helpful to have me on this journey with you. Best wishes always!

Quotes that May Be Helpful

“The best way out is always through.”

— Robert Frost

 “When your back is to the wall and you are facing fear head on, the only way is forward and through it.”

― Stephen Richards, Releasing You from Fear

 “For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson