What can I expect during my first appointment?
During our initial sessions, we will discuss your strengths, concerns, and history, all of which will inform our therapy goals.
Once actively engaged in the therapeutic process, many clients report gradual improvement over 6 to 8 sessions. Sessions are typically scheduled weekly, although the frequency of sessions can be modified based on your specific needs. Session length is approximately 50 minutes.
Telehealth allows me to reach clients across a wider geographic area. It also provides flexibility when in person sessions need to modified due to unexpected circumstances, such as weather or illness. Video sessions will be conducted through a HIPAA-compliant platform that runs in standard browsers such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge. You will just need a working webcam and microphone. Before your scheduled appointment, you will receive a direct link to join each session.
I am available Monday through Friday, as well as Saturday mornings. For in person sessions, street and lot parking are available.
However we choose to meet, you can always expect:
- Evidenced based information and techniques that you can use to enact positive changes in your life.
- To be treated with compassion, empathy, respect, and understanding.
- Someone who is available to listen, see, and hear you.
- A safe and supportive space.
Is therapy confidential?
As a general rule, all therapy sessions are confidential. Anything we discuss during our sessions will remain between us unless you request otherwise in writing. This includes teachers, professors, and employers. Additional exceptions that allow me to disclose information include:
- Suspicion of abuse to a child, dependent adult, or an elder, including cases of domestic abuse.
- Suspicion an individual has caused, or is threatening to cause severe bodily harm to another person.
- A client intends to dangerously self-harm, expressing, for example, plans for suicide. While I will attempt to work through these circumstances during therapy sessions, if the situation remains unresolved, or a client is unable to cooperate, additional actions and disclosures may be needed to ensure client safety.
Please note that insurance companies usually mail an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to the policyholder, which can show that a visit took place. If privacy is important to you and you are a dependent of the policy holder, we can talk about paying privately instead.
How does therapy help?
Your concerns are opportunities for growth, rather than hopeless problems. During our sessions, you will develop and practice more effective coping skills that will help you to better manage your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Treatment goals can address a number of areas including:
- Feeling emotions without becoming overwhelmed
- Managing stress
- Reducing avoidant behavior
- Understanding perfectionism and burnout
- Setting appropriate boundaries
- Improving decision making skills
- Identifying unhelpful relationship patterns
- Healing after an emotional injury
- Developing more effective communication skills
- Shaping personal values and identity
- Cultivating genuine self awareness and sense of purpose
- Boosting confidence
- Increasing cognitive flexibility
- Developing organization, planning, and time management skills
- Engaging in self-care
