Before the session, you'll fill out a short intake form including basic contact info, what's bringing you in, and any history that matters. You'll also get my practice policies (fees, cancellation, confidentiality and its limits) so there are no surprises. If you're using insurance, I'll verify benefits beforehand.
The first session is mostly about getting to know each other. I'll ask what's been going on, what you've tried, and what you'd like to be different. You don't need to have it organized or tell the whole story, you can share as much or as little as feels manageable. I'll also explain treatment options I feel could be beneficial and answer any questions providing as much clarity as possible.
By the end of the first session, we'll agree on the next direction to take, how often to meet, what we're working on first, and one or two things to notice between sessions.
Therapy can be a vulnerable experience and it is common to leave feeling exposed after opening up, especially with things that you have never talked about before. If you notice things starting to feel worse before they feel better, trust the process and keep an open communication about the things you're noticing.
The goal is for you to leave feeling seen, understood, and hopeful about what comes next.
