It is completely normal to be a bit nervous for your first counseling appointment, even if you’ve been in counseling before with another therapist. 

The idea that you’re going to go to a complete stranger and tell that stranger about the conflicts you’re having in your life can be quite unnerving.  So, I want to assure you that nerves are normal and welcome in this process.

Before therapy begins on that first session, I will have you fill out some paperwork including: Basic Information, Informed Consent (informing you of HHCC policies) and a couple of other documents. 

This usually takes five minutes or so. From there, we dive right into therapy and I generally will lead off by asking a few basic questions like: Have you ever been in therapy for? What is it that brings you in today? And, Tell me about what is causing discomfort in your life?  The session will mostly be about getting to know each other and see if we are a good fit.  I often describe the session as a first date (almost a blind date).  Neither of know each other (yet) and we have to make sure that our personalities and styles match to a degree where we think we can work through whatever conflicts are happening in your life.

If I’m not the right fit because you’re looking for a different style of therapy, it’s okay and nothing that I would take personal.

In fact, I would encourage you to let me know so that way I don’t worry about you if you do not show up for your next appointment and I can also refer you to someone that might be a better fit.  For example, I tend not to see many clients sufferings with Substance Use disorders, but I know a few therapists that specialize in that very topic.

My ultimate goal in that first session is to have you leave with a sense of peace and safety. 

Not every counseling session will be easy nor will you be leaving feeling happy.  Sometimes you might be leaving feeling sad or anxious.  What we talk about in counseling can sometimes bring up intense feelings and temporarily make symptoms worse.  For instance, talking about panic attacks and what is bringing on panic attacks can be a frightening subject and it’s possible that you might get a panic attack a day or two after session. However, with continuous work, most issues can be managed or sometimes completely cured. It’s important to a remember that counseling is the HARD way through a problem.  Humans are experts at being out of pain.  If we have a headache, we might take Motrin, a broken ankle might call for ice, cast and medication.  When it comes to mental health, it can be easy to find a way to get out of our agony such as avoidance, suppression of feeling or drugs and alcohol.  So I want to congratulate you for even thinking of entering therapy because it’s not always easy.  I believe that sometimes that hardest thing and right thing are the same thing!

I usually collect payment at the end of each session.  Some people prefer to hand me payment right when they walk in.  You’ll always get a receipt for services and an opportunity to schedule another appointment.