In the initial session, I take the time to get to know you and to hear your story. I seek to understand why you are asking for therapy as well as what you are hoping to accomplish during our sessions. I focus on not only learning about you but gaining your trust. During our first few sessions, I’ll explain expectations, discuss confidentiality, and assist you in completing your initial paperwork. As we work together, we will discuss your goals for therapy making sure they are reasonable, realistic and practical but above all attainable. It is essential for you to know your goals may evolve over the course of treatment so in making sure you see progress in areas you have identified we will periodically review your goals.
In the following sessions, as we continue to tailor therapy to your specific goals I will identify obstacles, as well as suggest new ideas, various solutions to try, along with the behaviors that are becoming obstacles. I will assist you in identifying and building upon the strengths you already possess as well as assist you in developing new strengths and coping skills. After each session, you will leave with useful and usable actions to work towards your goals for that week. Counseling is about working joining to enable you to obtain your goals, and all decisions are yours.