Here is a short summary of what you can expect from start to finish in therapy with me.
You pick up the phone...
You call me at (209) 602-1513 to find out more about how I can help. You provide me with a brief overview of what the problem is, I answer any questions, and I share how I can help. From our talk you get a brief idea of my personality and how I work. We discuss my fees, and your schedule. At that point, I will provide you the opportunity to make an appointment.
You decide to make an appointment...
We make an appointment time and I ask for a private email address. I provide you with a secure signon where you will read over forms, fill out electronic consent forms, and submit personal history to me securely.
We walk back...
I show you the room where I do counseling. The room is private, simple, and comfortable.
We start the session....
We get the payment out of the way so it can be off your mind. I introduce myself, talk about the limits of confidentiality, and review briefly my office policies. We discuss any questions you may have about the process.
It's all about you...
I will then invite you to let me know more about the problem, how it is affecting your life, and what you would like to change. I will ask for clarification and ask additional questions to make sure I have a good idea of the issue. Depending on the complexity of the issue, it may take us more than one session to fully explore the issue.
Planning...
In the middle or towards the end of the session we will switch gears and talk about how I can help now that I more fully understand your problem. We will discuss some options and decide whether to schedule ongoing sessions together. If this is not the right fit, or the right time, we will discuss some resources that may be of help to you or I will provide a referral to someone who is a better fit.
Meetings...
You will find that I am present and available during our times together. We will work towards the brief outline that we made together, consistently checking in to make sure we are on the right track. We talk about concerns, questions, or confusion that you have openly without any worry of judgment.
It is a good fit, your working hard, and you notice a change!
You start feeling better and finding relief. We start to talk about how much longer therapy will last, so we can start preparing for the end of therapy. We put safeguards in place to make sure you never get down to the point you were when you came into therapy. You will determine what was most helpful, and what can apply to other areas of your life.
Saying goodbye...
When you have met your goals, and have a plan to stay healthy in the future, we say goodbye. We discuss reasons why you might come back (for instance if you were to lose a spouse unexpectedly), any final questions you may have, and say goodbye for now, or forever.
Now this is a very brief overview and does not take into account hiccups or bumps along the way. Whatever the issue that comes up, we can discuss how this impacts therapy. Examples of unexpected bumps might be, "I got transferred at work," "I lost my job," "I am just not ready right now, I want to wait for the right time."
If this process sounds like what you are needing, give me a call at (209) 602-1513 or click on "Contact Me" to send me a message. While e-mail is an easy way to communicate, it is not completely secure. Use e-mail according to your comfort level, but phone calls are always available for improved privacy.