HOW TO BEGIN
Before we officially start to work together, I recommend and invite you to make a free Meet and Greet session so we can meet each other, answer any questions you may have, and get any information you may need.
Once you decide to work with me during or after the Meet and Greet, the process follows the three stages shown below.
STAGES of the PROCESS
BEGINNING
The process starts with an initial assessment interview during which I listen to what is going on with you, and we start building a relationship.
I will explain to you how treatment works, and provide you with clear information that allows you to give consent to treatment.
This Initial Interview takes either a single 90-minutes session or can be done in two regular sessions.
We will work together on initial goals, defining desired outcomes, and setting clear measurable goals for our work together.
About three to four weeks into our sessions we will collaborate on a more concrete plan of action to facilitate and catalyze your process and advance your goals. I contribute to this plan my clinical acumen, impressions, and my training.
Some patients like to ask loved ones or friends to provide extra information.
WORKING
The middle working stage starts after four regular weekly sessions that follow the working goals you established with me.
Standard Sessions last 50 minutes. (Some people prefer longer sessions.)
The concerns and experiences you bring to each session set the pace for the process.
I participate actively to move things along and keep you safe.
I listen actively offering feed-back when needed, in the form of noticing patterns, identifying obstacles, and considering alternate narratives and views into situations.
I make sure you take away something helpful from each session.
Questions are always welcome.
Every session, and more formally every 3 or 4 sessions, I will check-in with you to make sure your sessions are useful and you feel closer to your goals.
ENDING
Eventually, you will reach your goals. I will bring this up ahead of the final stage so we can discuss how you prefer to engage in the ending process.
This can be emotional, but making treatment obsolete is our ultimate goal.
At this point we will engage in a final review of the process to take account of the skills you gained, what changes helped, and list useful strategies. Once this starts, it can take one or two sessions.
We might also list unfinished business or possible goals for the future.
Then you are done!
I AM HERE FOR YOU
Many individuals like to come back after they are done with the sessions for regular or impromptu check-ins.
You are welcome to return, even if you want to update me on current events in your life or share your successes.
Sometimes people return to work on other things that were revealed after the first layer of work ended.