How do we begin?
20 Minute Free Consultation
Before you commit to a full 50 minute session, chat with me on the phone first. This is the time to ask me questions about how I work, and tell me about what you are looking for in a therapist. We'll discuss if we are a good fit with each other and decide our next steps.
If you decide to continue with me…
I will send you a link to my client portal where you can complete the intake paperwork, read about my privacy practices, and put a credit or debit card on file. We will then schedule a first session. Typical sessions for individual therapy are 50 minutes long and occur online through the client portal.
In our first session together, we will go over Informed Consent, Confidentiality Policies, and your goals for therapy. We may also cover any previous experience you have with therapy, as well as expectations you have for therapy.
You do not have to tell me your whole life story in this first session. I think it is not kind or trauma-informed for me to ask you to share your trauma history or deep dark secrets with a stranger as part of the intake process. We will get there whenever you are ready to share. You set the pace here.
I will check in with you on our second or third session to make sure that this is still a good fit.
If we’re not a good fit…
If you are looking for something different, either after our phone consultation or after two or three sessions with me, I'm happy to offer referrals to other providers who may be a better fit for you. I promise, I won't be offended. My hope is for you to find the best therapist for you, even if that's not me.
The road ahead…
Typically I see clients once a week for a few months; this builds momentum and relationship. Some folks then choose to move to every other week, while others continue with weekly appointments. Mostly it's about finding what works best for you, your schedule, and your budget.
Therapy is hard work. Sometimes people feel like starting therapy actually makes things worse, which is fairly common. The first couple months of therapy are often the hardest, but once that foundation is laid, people then begin to see progress and improvement in their lives. Don't give up when the going gets tough.
Healing and growth take time. Just keep going.