Initial Phone Call

When initially contacting a therapist, it is helpful to have a list of questions prepared to ensure you get a sense of how you and a potential therapist may work together. Keep in mind that many therapists’ phone numbers connect directly to voicemail, so it is helpful to leave your contact informaiton, some good times you can be reached, and the main issues you are hoping to address in therapy.

Questions you might want to address in the first phone call or consultation hour:

(Please note: Each of the below questions are addressed on my website, and I am happy to expand on them when we first talk or meet.)

• What principles or theories guide your work?
• How do you practice - are you an active contributor in sessions or more of a quiet observer?
• Where did you receive your training and what is your license?
• What are your areas of expertise or clinical training?
• What is your fee?
• Do you examine past experiences or concentrate on the present challenges only?
• How long will it take for me to feel better?
• How does therapy work?
• Do I need to be depressed or anxious to benefit from psychotherapy?

First Appointments

After making an appointment, and following a brief phone conversation to address fee and area(s) of concern for treatment, you will have your first, scheduled appointment. Each psychotherapy session is 50 minutes in length.

For each new client (individual or couple), I complete an initial assessment (usually 4 sessions) and develop an individualized treatment plan, consisting of mutually determined goals and important initial referrals/resources if needed. In the initial sessions, I will ask questions related to: what brings you to therapy at this time, family and personal information, and the history of your past medical and psychiatric treatment.

Upon completion of the assessment, I will provide you with my initial impressions and treatment recommendations. At this time, we can both decide whether I am the most appropriate therapist to meet your needs.

Duration of Treatment

The process, duration and prescribed time-frame of psychotherapy is highly variable. At our initial consultation and during our first few visits, we can discuss your needs and available resources alongside my clinical opinion and recommended course of treatment. For certain issues, such as specific areas of concern or decision/goal driven consultation, a time-limited approach may be indicated. For broader explorations of personal satisfaction/identity, relationships, and career growth, a more open-ended and exploratory treatment is recommended.

Fostering emotional growth and laying the foundations of long-lasting psychological change take time, investment, and commitment. For this reason, many clients can significantly benefit from meeting more than once weekly. Initially, we will meet for weekly sessions and re-assess frequency throughout the course of treatment.