 Starting Therapy
Entering into a therapeutic relationship is a big
step. Deciding to make the first phone call or send the first email to me can
feel difficult. I thought that knowing what to expect might make it a little
easier.
First, of course, you contact me. This is accomplished
either by email or by phone. I'll call you back and we can talk for a minute
and set up an appointment.
When you arrive for your first appointment, you'll
need to sign a few forms. I'll go over my confidentiality and office policies.
We'll discuss my fee for services and decide on payment arrangements. The
remainder of our first session will be spent getting to know each other. We
will focus on whatever you need to talk about. You will be free to ask
questions and make known your expectations.
I won't play psychological games with you. I want to
get to know you and come to an understanding why you have come to see me. I
don't think psychological games can help me do that. I might ask about your
past, or how you envision your future, and how that relates to what you are
going through, but our interaction will focus primarily on the present. Our
main goal is to work together to enable you to move toward resolution of the
problem that brought you to my office.
I understand that I will never know you as well as
you know yourself. You are the expert on you. Your perspective matters. So you
should always feel free to disagree with me.
If you feel good about our interaction during the
first appointment and you think that we can work well together, then we'll set
up another appointment. If you aren't sure that I am the right counselor for
you, then tell me that you'd prefer to work with someone else. It's imperative
that you find a therapist you resonate with. That's the only way you can do
good work. I don't expect to resonate with everyone!
Click here to contact me if
you'd like to set up an appointment. |
