2.0 What to Expect on Your First Appointment

Is this your first counseling experience? Are you nervous about making that first phone call? Or are you growing more and more anxious as your first appointment quickly approaches? Many times people hesitate to schedule that first appointment because they do not know what to expect. That can be very nerve-wrecking! Let me help loosen up some of those nerves for you. Firstly, I'd like to state that every individual’s therapeutic journey is unique, regardless of the issues or reasons that brings one to therapy. Expect paperwork. Don’t worry, I will not overwhelm you with a ton of paperwork, but do expect to fill out a few background details and an informed consent form. That’s all. Beyond the boring paperwork, the goals of the first session are to:

1. Get to know you better

2. Learn more about the concern that brings you in

3. Give you a better understanding of the counseling process

4. Confirm a recommended treatment duration

5. Confirm cost

Don’t worry, I will not make you sign a contract binding you to a treatment plan or to me. One of the perks of counseling is that you can always choose to stop your counseling journey at any point. Decision-making power is all yours. The treatment duration is my recommendation and is based on the assessment of needs. Although I would strongly suggest following the treatment recommendations, you are by no means tied to my services. Not against your will at least!