New to Therapy? No problem!

“In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety.”

— Abraham Maslow

It is normal to have a few questions before jumping into therapy.

Here are a few FAQs:

 

Is it normal to feel anxious before starting therapy?

Yes! This is absolutely normal! While some of us come to therapy excited and ready, others may feel a bit hesitant to make the first phone call. This is a normal experience and I would encourage you to share that in your first session or phone screening.

How will I know if therapy is for me?

The best answer I could provide here is just try it! Many people have assumptions associated with therapy and question if it’s the right choice for them. If you find yourself in place where you are feeling unhappy or stuck, therapy can be a helpful experience to identify useful tools in pushing through those tough times. Therapy is meant to be helpful and completely client driven. If you have questions or concerns about your experience, I’d invite you to share your thoughts openly in order to get the best outcome possible.

How long does therapy usually take?

For individual sessions, therapy is typically 60 minutes in length while family or couples therapy range between 60-75 minute sessions. Each person’s circumstances are unique, but the timeline of therapy is ultimately within your control.

How often will we meet?

Initially, I recommend we will meet once a week to get acquainted with one another and establish your goals for therapy. Once rapport and goals are established, we can begin discussing alternative meeting schedules.

What if I need to cancel my appointment?

I understand that life may bring unexpected changes where an appointment would need to be cancelled or rescheduled. I do ask that you notify me 24 hours in advance or I will process the charge for the appointment. Exceptions can be made if in case of an emergency.

What is the process to get started and what should I expect?

This is a great question and often times the hardest part in getting started! See my section on What to expect from me below for a step-by-step process when working with me.

Here’s what to expect from me:

  • I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation for anyone who is interested in working with me. This will help you and I both determine whether my approach would be suitable for your intentions for therapy.

  • If you and I both decide we are a good match, we will schedule the initial intake session. I will provide all pre-intake documentation to you through my HIPPA-compliant platform to your email. I ask you complete this before the intake session so I have a better idea of what goals are for therapy. Documentation should take between 15-20 minutes to complete.

  • This is where we will review any of the pre-intake documentation and have an open discussion about what brought you to therapy and any goals you have in mind.

  • Once the initial intake session is complete, therapy sessions begin! We will have an ongoing discussion on the frequency of sessions and areas of focus throughout our time together.