What is an initial consultation?
An initial consultation will be our first contact. The purpose of the initial consultation is for us to get to know each other, and to see if working with me will be helpful to you. I can get a sense of who you are and what you need help with, and you can get a sense of how I work. We will also discuss what areas of difficulties we would want to focus on if we continue with treatment.
An initial consultation is typically 3 sessions for adults. At the end of the consultation period we will decide if continuing feels helpful.
How long is treatment?
There is no requirement to attend a “fixed” number of sessions. (For example, you can come in for one session and decide that this is not a right fit for you and we can discuss finding you a referral.) Whether to continue with therapy is a personal decision, but treatment lengths tend to depend on a variety of factors, including the nature, scope, and history of your presenting issues. Some people find that their presenting issues can be resolved after a number of sessions (e.g., getting angry with children), while others find it beneficial to have ongoing treatment (e.g., dealing with childhood trauma). How long therapy should last can be addressed during the initial consultation.
How long is your session? And how often do we meet?
Initial consultation sessions as well as ongoing therapy sessions are weekly and 50 mins long.
What is your cancellation policy?
During the initial consultation period I have a 48 hour cancellation policy. If after the initial consultation period (which is 3 sessions long for adults and teens, 4 sessions for children) a decision is made to continue with treatment then I will reserve a time for you each week. You will be responsible for that time. Missed sessions will be charged.
Can you provide a free phone call prior to an initial consultation (the first meeting)?
Given the time constraint of a short phone call, I find that it tends to be difficult to have the space to learn more about your concerns or questions, and to respond to them in a way that’s thorough, thoughtful and sensitive. Though I mainly reserve WhatsApp for scheduling matters, if you have a simple, straightforward question regarding my services, I will be happy to answer it via text messages. However, with substantive questions, I will be happy to address them with you during an initial consultation, where we have the time and space to attend to them more fully.
Do you conduct assessments to diagnose, or evaluations for school or court use?
I am sorry I don’t. But large mental health agencies/group practices tend to provide that as part of their service.
Do you provide online therapy?
Yes. Some people travel as part of their work, and we switch to online sessions when people are out of town.
Do you have suggestions as to how I can prepare for therapy?
You might find the information here helpful.
I need an individual and a couples therapist. Can you be both?
I can only be your individual OR couples therapist. I will be happy give you a referral to see someone for a separate course of therapy.
I have these _____ issues. Can they be fixed? Is this something you can help me with?
While psychologists are trained to deal with a variety of mental health issues, research has shown that the most consistent factor in treatment success is the therapeutic relationship. That’s what the consultation sessions are for: to see if I am the right fit for you. Going to see a therapist in person can feel daunting to many, and so you probably have a lot of reservations and mixed feelings about it. It is perfectly normal to feel that way. However, without having an opportunity to meet and talk, it will be like looking at a pair of shoes and asking: how do I know these shoes would fit me without trying them on?
I would like to get more info on what therapy is, what I can expect from it, and how it would help.
https://www.goodtherapy.org/what-is-therapy.html