Making the initial contact with a therapist often feels overwhelming, but it is also the first step in determining if the therapist is right for you. It provides the opportunity to ask questions to help you get a feel for who you will be meeting with.

I hope that by giving you an an idea of what to expect with me, your first phone call or email will be more comfortable.

When we first speak, I will ask you to give me a broad brush description of what initiated your call. By understanding a little about what you are coming in for, I will be able to determine if I have the knowledge and qualifications to be of help to you. If I feel that my expertise does not meet your needs, I will be happy to assist you in finding a therapist who does.

I’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have. No question is wrong or silly. We will also talk about details such appointment times, how to get to my office, and methods of payment.

Entering counseling is a significant commitment of both your time and money, so it is important to know all of the facts up front. Though our first conversation will necessarily be brief, I hope it will give you enough to go on that you will begin to feel comfortable with me. In the final analysis, it is important for you to trust your gut.

Your First Appointment

If you do decide to make an appointment, here is what to expect at your first session. The session will last for approximately 55 minutes. When you come into the waiting room, you will usually be the only one there as I have a private office with tea, coffee and magazines available to help you begin to make the transition from your busy life.

I will meet you in the waiting room and show you to my office. We will begin with practical things, such as contact information, insurance, etc., and then I will take a brief history, which usually requires 15 to 20 minutes. The remainder of the session will be spent focusing on what brought you into therapy, so that you will begin to get a feel for me and I will also begin to know you better.

If it seems like a good idea, at this point we can begin to identify goals, asking questions such as, “At the end of, say, three months, what will need to be different in your life so that you will know that coming to see me was a success?” This will give us a reference point to help us stay on track, realizing, however, that it is only a benchmark and it can be changed at any time if we feel it is needed.