About

So, How Does This Work?

This is the most one of the most common questions I answer from new clients.

And it’s a good one for many reasons.

Some people have never done therapy or counseling before.

Others only did it years ago as a child or teenager — and hope it will be different now.

Still others have experienced it more recently… and that experience wasn’t great.

So, here’s what you can expect with me.

It Starts with a Short Phone Call

It usually starts with a free phone call to make sure I am the best person to help you.

I’ll ask you some questions about what’s going on in your life and you’ll get to ask me questions about what I do and how I do it.

When you’re convinced that I’m the person who has what you need, we’ll schedule a first session together, either in person or through online video.

Immediately after that, you’ll get an email from me inviting you to provide some information in my secure online portal system. (You’ve probably used something like this before visiting a primary care doctor.)

Then, we meet.

Meeting Is Private and Convenient

If we are meeting in person, you’ll arrive at my office, which is typically pretty quiet. You’ll often be the only person in the waiting area (which is probably not like visiting your primary care doctor!).

Since you already provided all the information we need on my online system, you won’t have to bother carrying around paperwork — or scrambling to fill it out while you wait.

Instead, you can just enjoy the free Wifi, some books and magazines, or some quiet time to yourself.

If we are meeting online, then you will get an email shortly before our scheduled meeting time with a link to join our secure video session from wherever you are. (I do recommend getting to a place that is as private and quiet as possible and using headphones with your device.)

Continuing Our Conversation

Once we are together, either in my office or online, we can settle into our work together.

The first session is usually a continuation of our initial phone chat. You get to start wherever you want. If you’re stuck, I’ll help with some questions.

You spend the rest of the session telling me about what’s been going on and what you are wanting.

While I will give some guidance or feedback along the way, I do a lot more listening than talking. It’s important for me to really get to know you.

And you probably have some things you’d like to get off your chest before you leave.

By the end of our meeting, I will give you my thoughts on what’s going on. We’ll agree on some initial things to focus on and how often we would like to meet.

Then we will decide when you’d like to speak again.

Finding Our Rhythm

Once we have met a few times, we will start to find our groove. Our sessions will have a rhythm.

(Can you tell I love music?)

If it has been an eventful week or two, we might start there, just catching up so you can fill me in.

Not just on the latest stress at work or challenges at home with your partner or kids; but on what you have been noticing, learning, and trying.

That’s because I almost always give you something to look for, think about, or try between our meetings. You’ll find this helps you feel like you are still “getting something” even when we are not actually together in session.

The biggest challenges and wins often happen outside our sessions. (As long as you tell me about them so we can celebrate together, we’re cool!).