In the initial session, I take the time to get to know and hear your story. I seek to understand why you are asking for therapy and what you hope 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. You need to know your goals may evolve throughout treatment, so we will periodically review your goals to make sure you see progress in areas you have identified.
In the following sessions, as we continue to tailor therapy to your specific goals, I will identify obstacles, suggest new ideas, various solutions to try, and the behaviors that are becoming obstacles. I will assist you in identifying and building upon the strengths you already possess, as well as help you in developing new strengths and coping skills. After each session, you will leave with valuable and usable actions to work toward your goals for that week. Counseling is about working joining to enable you to obtain your goals, and all decisions are yours.