Your problems.
Our solutions.
Coming to therapy or counseling can be an intimidating thing. For many people, they have a great deal of pride in solving life issues on their own. We understand that reaching out to a stranger for help, no matter what their training or qualifications may be, is incredibly difficult for most people. Whether you have been to therapy before, or if this is your first time, the information below will explain our therapy process and help you be more comfortable with what to expect at your first meeting.
1. Call, email, or Pre-Schedule online to make an appointment. Whether you call or prefer to communicate via email, you will always work with a licensed therapist, not a receptionist. During these communications, we'll learn about what is happening for you and what needs you have in a therapist. You will then be assigned a therapist and a have a time scheduled for your initial appointment; this first appointment is called an intake or diagnostic assessment meeting. You will be asked for your contact and insurance information (if applicable.) You will also be asked if you want a reminder email or text message for your first appointment. We will also ask if you would like to complete our online documentation. You can complete this all online -- no printer needed -- and save about 30 minutes at the initial session.
2. In the waiting area. If you did not complete our online documentation, please arrive 30 minutes early for your first appointment in order to complete a questionnaire about yourself or the client. You will find this paperwork under the coffee table in the waiting area. If you have completed the online documentation, you may arrive for your appointment at the scheduled time. Because we don't typically have a receptionist on duty, feel free to walk right past the reception area and into the waiting room.
3. In the therapy room. Your therapist will greet you at your scheduled time and take you to a therapy room. They will introduce themselves, provide their qualifications, and give you a business card. In the therapy room, your therapist will review some of your completed forms and talk with you in more detail about why you came in and what problems you may be facing. This first session is different than other sessions. There are several reasons for this. For one, your therapist needs to get to know you, and you need to get to know your therapist. Secondly, for all of our clients, we complete what is called a diagnostic assessment. Basically, this is detailed written report similar to the questionnaire you completed that provides you with a diagnosis for insurance billing purposes. The diagnosis is not required in all situations, but the report is a requirement as it helps your therapist develop effective goals and interventions for you. Third, on this appointment, we will review additional information with you including what to expect from therapy, our office policies, how we keep your information confidential, privacy policies, and various other forms. Once the appointment is complete, your therapist will make a copy of your insurance card and collect any applicable payments. Please make certain you bring cash, check, or a major credit card as any co-pays or private pay fees are required to be paid at time of service. In general, therapy sessions run between 45 - 50 minutes long.
4. Next steps. As the session nears an end, your therapist will summarize your time together and offer you initial recommendations and next steps. If your therapist believes therapy may be useful for you, they will offer to schedule additional appointments based on your needs. You may wish to wait to schedule further appointments or may want to think it over -- just let your therapist know.
What to Expect
