Getting Started

How to get started

You may find the answers to some of your questions on this website. But, I will be glad to answer other questions you may have, so please call or email to ask.

When you decide to schedule an appointment, you will find the forms needed for the initial appointment on this website. Please download them to read and sign. If you have any questions or concerns about any of them, please either contact me to discuss before you come in or ask me at the start of your first session. One of the forms is entitled “Goals and Description of Needs.” This information will begin to direct our work together and I will review it before we start and we will discuss more information about the reasons you are coming in to see me. During your first appointment, you will also have time to ask me any questions or otherwise discuss any expectations you may have about our work together.

If you do not have access to a printer to bring in the forms for your first session, please just let me know in advance, and I will have them ready for you. If you can read the forms in advance, that will still save time. Otherwise, we will simply arrange for you to come in at least 20 minutes prior to the time of your appointment to complete them.

I will begin a clinical assessment of your needs during our first meeting. We may need to continue this assessment during a subsequent session, dependent on the complexity of the issues. Likewise, we will collaborate together for a treatment planning process, beginning in the first session. We will work together to determine your specific needs, planning process, and in the change process to meet your goals. Our collaboration will be ongoing throughout our work together, to respond as your progress improves or as new needs arise.

For couples or family therapy, it is my preference to meet with everyone for the first session, so that everyone is able to hear what I say about the structure of the sessions and is able to hear what other family members say about initial goals. Exceptions to this policy are if there are any safety (i.e.., violence between family members) concerns or if there is an excessive level or conflict so that there is a concern for being able to complete the session at all. During the first session for couples and family therapy, we will discuss if all meetings will occur with all members present or if there will at least initially be any appointments scheduled separately following the initial one.