If you are considering therapy for the first time, it’s normal to have some uneasiness or apprehension about what it might be like. To set your mind at ease, I wanted to take this chance to share with you what you might expect if you decide to reach out.
1. Consultation
The first step would be to contact me to set up a free 15 minute phone consultation. This is not a counseling session, it’s just a chance for you to share with me what you are looking for, what your current struggles are, and for me to assess if I have the right skill set to meet your needs. I am careful to work within my scope of practice because I want you to receive the best possible treatment. During this consultation we will also discuss logistics such as scheduling, payment and insurance. You do not need to make a commitment either way at the end.
2. Set up portal, complete paperwork
If we are a good fit and you decided to work with me, we would schedule an intake appointment. Prior to that appointment, you would need to set up your portal and verify your insurance through the company that manages my billing (if you are using your insurance). In your portal, you will be assigned a number of forms that need to be read and signed before our intake appointment. I understand that life can get busy, so we can reschedule your intake if you are unable to complete the paperwork beforehand.
3. Attend your intake session
The intake is a longer-than-usual appointment (up to 70 min) in which we will go over your current symptoms, how you are coping, some family history and what you would like to get out of counseling. [If you are interested in Christian counseling, we would also discuss how you would like to integrate your faith into your treatment.] We will meet via a HIPAA compliant Zoom telehealth platform. I work from a quiet space with complete privacy and always wear ear buds.
I always touch base with clients at the end of the intake to see if they would like to schedule another appointment. There is no obligation to do so. It is very important for you to find a therapist that is a good fit for you.
I hope that answers any questions your might have! If not, please reach out and I would be happy to speak with you.