what to expect in therapy

First time in therapy?

Prior to your appointment

You will be receiving an invitation to the client portal through SimplePractice, where you can complete the necessary intake paperwork prior to our session. This will allow me to review your information in advance and better prepare for our time together.

the first appointment

In our first appointment, we’ll spend some time getting to know each other and building a foundation for our work together. I’ll highlight some important practice policies and go over expectations for therapy so you have a clear understanding of how the process works.

We’ll also briefly discuss what brings you to therapy and what you would like to get out of our sessions. During this time, I’ll share my initial observations and assessment to help guide our direction moving forward.

subsequent sessions

In the following sessions, we will typically start with weekly appointments as we dive deeper into the conflicts, history, and other important areas that may be impacting you. Together, we’ll set clear goals for therapy to give us direction and focus.

My role is to understand what is happening, identify what may not be working, and determine how I can best support you. Throughout the process, we will explore different interventions and therapeutic approaches to address the challenges you’re facing. We’ll continue working through these strategies until we reach the progress and goals you are striving for.

other important things to know

THERAPEUTIC PROCESS

Choosing to engage in therapy is a brave and constructive step that can lead to personal growth, new insights, and positive change. At the same time, therapy may bring up difficult emotions such as sadness, anxiety, or anger, especially when exploring challenging memories or current struggles.

The success of therapy depends on several factors, including your commitment, openness, and readiness to engage in the process. While specific outcomes or guarantees cannot be promised, my goal is to provide a safe, respectful, and supportive environment where you feel heard and understood.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Everything we talk about in therapy is kept private and confidential. This means that what you share with me stays between us, with only a few exceptions required by law for your safety or the safety of others. I’ll explain these limits in our first session so you know exactly what to expect. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you feel comfortable being open and honest.

INSURANCE INFORMATION

If you plan to use insurance for therapy, it’s important that you provide accurate and up-to-date insurance information. This ensures that claims can be processed correctly and helps avoid unexpected charges. While I can help submit claims to your insurance, you are ultimately responsible for verifying your coverage, understanding your benefits, and paying any co-pays or fees not covered by your plan.