your first session

You can expect a supportive and collaborative therapeutic journey that is tailored to your individual needs and goals. While the therapy process can vary based on my approach and your specific circumstances, here's an overview of what you can generally expect:·

INITIAL ASSESSMENT:

The therapy process usually begins with an initial assessment session. During this session, I will gather information about your background, concerns, goals, and any relevant history. This helps me to understand your needs and develop a personalized treatment plan for you. We will work together to:

·  Establish Goals: Together with me, we'll identify your specific goals during therapy. These goals will guide the focus of your sessions and provide a clear direction for your therapeutic journey.

·  Build a Therapeutic Relationship: A strong and trusting relationship between you and me is essential. You'll collaborate with me to create a safe and non-judgmental space where you can openly share your thoughts and feelings.

·  Explore and Insight: Therapy involves exploring your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and patterns. Through this exploration, you'll gain insight into underlying factors contributing to your challenges and learn to better understand yourself.

·  Learn Coping Skills I will provide you with coping skills and strategies to manage difficult emotions, cope with stress, and navigate challenges. Depending on your efforts, you'll practice these skills both during sessions and in your daily life. The more you practice between sessions, the easier and faster your treatment will go. Like any other new behavior the more you practice, the better you become (think tennis, exercise, etc.) and the faster you reach your goal(s).

·  Self-Reflection: Therapy encourages self-reflection, helping you develop a deeper awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This self-awareness is key to making positive changes.

·  Challenge Negative Patterns: You'll work with me to challenge and reframe negative thought patterns or beliefs that may be contributing to your difficulties.

·  Explore Solutions: Depending on your goals, you'll explore solutions, problem-solving techniques, and alternative perspectives to address specific issues.

·  Discuss Homework and Practice: I might assign homework or activities between sessions to reinforce what you're learning in therapy and encourage consistent progress.

·  Periodic Progress Reviews: Periodically, you and I will review your progress toward your goals. This helps track your development and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

·  Discover Empowerment: The therapy process aims to empower you with tools and skills that you can apply beyond the therapy room, fostering long-lasting personal growth and well-being.

·  Completion and Follow-Up: As you make progress and achieve your therapy goals, you and I will discuss termination or transitioning to less frequent sessions. Sometimes I suggest follow-up sessions to provide ongoing support as needed. Remember that therapy is a collaborative effort, and your active participation is essential for achieving meaningful results. The therapy process is a journey of self-discovery, growth, and positive change that can have a profound impact on your overall well-being. Our grief and loss sessions help clients process the emotional pain of losing a loved one or experiencing other significant losses. We provide clients with a supportive and compassionate space to express their feelings and work through the grieving process.

Yes, therapy is typically confidential. Confidentiality is a crucial aspect of the therapeutic relationship and is designed to create a safe and trusting environment for you to share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without fear of judgment or disclosure. Here's what you need to know about the confidentiality of therapy:·

·  Legal and Ethical Obligations: Mental health professionals, including psychologists, counselors, and psychiatrists, are bound by legal and ethical obligations to maintain the confidentiality of your information. They are required to keep your personal and sensitive information private.

·  Exceptions to Confidentiality: While therapy is confidential, there are some exceptions where I may be legally obligated to breach confidentiality. These exceptions typically include situations involving imminent harm to yourself or others, suspected child or elder abuse, or when a court order is issued.

·  Informed Consent: During your first therapy session, I will provide you with information about my confidentiality policies and any potential exceptions. This is covered in an informed consent agreement that we both discuss and sign.

·  Third-Party Involvement: I will not disclose information to third parties, such as family members or employers, without your explicit consent. If you want to share information with someone else, you will need to provide written permission.

·  Collaborative Care: In some cases, I may work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals involved in your care (e.g., primary care doctor, psychiatrist) while respecting your privacy. I would obtain your permission before sharing information.

·  Protection of Records: I am also responsible for safeguarding your written or electronic records to prevent unauthorized access.

·  Online/Virtual Therapy: If you're engaging in online or virtual therapy, please be aware that I use a secure and reputable platform that maintains confidentiality.

If you have concerns or questions about how your information will be handled, don't hesitate to ask. Building a trusting and transparent relationship with your therapist is crucial for the success of the therapeutic process.

The frequency of therapy sessions can vary based on individual needs, the nature of the issues you're working on, and my recommendation(s). Typically, therapy sessions are scheduled on a weekly basis, especially in the initial stages of therapy. However, the exact frequency may be adjusted over time. Here are some factors to consider when determining how often you should attend therapy sessions:

·  Severity of Issues: If you're dealing with acute or severe mental health issues, more frequent sessions (e.g., multiple sessions per week) might be recommended initially to provide more intensive support.

·  Treatment Goals: The goals you have for therapy can influence session frequency. If you're working on specific, time-sensitive objectives, more frequent sessions could help you make quicker progress.

·  Availability and Schedule: Your availability and schedule constraints play a role. Some people may find it easier to commit to weekly sessions, while others might prefer less frequent appointments due to work, family, or other commitments.

·  Financial Considerations: Budget and insurance coverage can impact how often you can attend therapy. Discuss this with me to find a schedule that aligns with your financial situation.

·  Progress and Stability: As you make progress and develop coping skills, you and you and I may decide to reduce session frequency. This can be a sign of positive growth and increased stability.

·  Therapeutic Approach: Depending on the client, I offer individualized therapeutic approaches and modalities and suggest varying recommendations for session frequency. I will guide you based on your expertise and willingness to participate in your own treatment.

·  Maintenance and Follow-Up: After achieving your initial treatment goals, you might transition to less frequent "maintenance" sessions to ensure your progress is maintained and to address any new challenges that arise.

·  Self-Care and Integration: Some individuals might choose to continue with occasional sessions as part of their ongoing self-care and personal growth journey. It is important to have an open and collaborative discussion with me about session frequency. I will work with you to determine what schedule best meets your needs and goals. Flexibility is key, and adjustments can be made as you progress through therapy and your circumstances change. Remember that the ultimate goal is to create a therapy plan that supports your well-being and helps you achieve the outcomes you desire. 

I offer a complimentary, 30-minute consultation session to get an idea of your issues to see if I can help you and to determine if we are a “good fit”. 

You may call my Voice Mail and leave a message at (513) 378-7000 and I will get back to you as soon as possible but no later than the end of the next business day.