What to expect at your first session.

Your first session: Step By Step

Step 1: Intake and Information Gathering

Before the first intake session occurs, we work together to ensure a schedule works for all 

Step 2: Getting Settled

We will start with introductions and make sure you're comfortable — pick a seat, grab a pillow or fidget if you'd like. No pressure to dive right in.

Step 3: Your Story

I'll ask some questions to get to know you - what's bringing you in, a bit about your background, and what you're hoping to get out of counseling. You share only what you're ready to share.

Step 4: Your Goals.

Together, we'll start to identify what you'd like to work on. This doesn't have to be perfect — it's just a starting point. We can always adjust as we go.

Step 5: Questions and Next Steps

You'll have time to ask me anything — about my approach, about the process, anything at all. We will talk about whether we feel like a good fit and plan our next session.

What Counseling Is and What It's Not:

Counseling Is: A safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings, a partnership, a place to build tools, insights, and resilience, confidential and centered on you and your treatment plan

Counseling Is Not: Being told what to do or how to feel, only for “big” problems or crises, being judged or analyzed, something you have to commit to forever 

Before you arrive… 

• Complete your intake paperwork. We will send this to you ahead of time so you can fill it out online at your own pace!

• What to bring: Just yourself. Maybe a water bottle. That's it!

• Parking and finding the office. We will share directions and parking details when you schedule. If you get turned around, just call or text — no stress.

• Arrive a few minutes early so you can settle in, take a breath, and get comfortable before we begin!

• Do I have to talk about everything right away?

  Nope. You set the pace. We go at the speed of you.

• What if therapist is not a good fit?

  No hard feelings, truly. The relationship between you and your therapist matters more than anything. If I'm not the right match, I'll help you find someone who is.

• Is everything confidential?

  Yes. What you share stays between us, with a few exceptions I'll walk you through at the start of our first session so there are no surprises.

• How long is a session?

  Typically about 50 minutes — enough time for discussion, but not so long that it feels overwhelming.

• How often will we meet?

  Usually weekly to start, which helps build momentum. But we'll find a rhythm that works for your life and your goals.