First Session

After the consultation, we'll schedule your first appointment! I'll send you some paperwork to fill out. The most important piece of paperwork is the consent to treatment. It's a document going over the business side of counseling: session fees, cancellation policies, and other considerations. I'll review this again when you first arrive. It's part of the requirements. Based on our previous conversation, I'll also send a few assessments. There are a few quick assessments that will show me if you are experiencing anxiety, depression, or trauma symptoms. These will give me a good idea of what you are currently experiencing.

Once you arrive, I'll invite you in. I try to always have coffee, water, candy, or snacks. Feel free to take whatever I have! Therapy can be hard work, and I want you to feel comfortable.

When we've settled in, I'll ask you one question: what brings you in? I'll let you tell your story. In the first few sessions, I'll probably interrupt you often. I'm trying to get to know you and create a treatment plan. Some clients come in and don't know where to begin. They might have overwhelming feelings of sadness, anxiety, or depression. Sometimes they come for relationship struggles, major life changes, or struggles maintaining boundaries with friends and family. I'll be listening to how this is affecting you today. In the first few sessions, I'm trying to really get to know you. I want to know your day-to-day stresses, your patterns, and your future goals.

Some clients feel comfortable coming in Session One and telling me everything. Other clients need a little more time to warm up. Counseling is like any relationship: it takes time and trust for people to feel like they can open up. However long it takes, I am excited to start this journey with you!