What should I expect at my first session?

Your first session is a time for you to make sure your counselor is a good fit and for your counselor to make sure they have the expertise to help you. If you feel that this counselor is not the right fit for you, we are more than happy to provide a referral to a different counselor. Our top priority is to make sure you are with the right person so that you can get the most out of counseling, whether that is with us or not.

At the beginning of the session, your counselor will review some paperwork with you that discusses your rights as a client and what to expect in the counseling process. They will also invite you to share what brings you to counseling and get some additional background information from you. You may leave your first session feeling emotionally drained or like nothing was accomplished. This is normal! Many people find that it takes 2-3 sessions to feel like they’re comfortable and making some progress.

How does therapy for my child work? Can I listen in on sessions or get a copy of your notes?

We love to have parents join for part of the first session with a child or teenager. This gives us the opportunity to answer any questions you have and hear your perspective. If you are interested in family therapy, we would be happy to meet with everyone together regularly.

However, if the goal is to provide a safe place for your child to work through their challenges, it is often best for the child and counselor to have time together one-on-one. We may invite you into a session from time to time, but most sessions will be just for the child. If we feel there is something we should talk with you about, most of the time we will invite you into a session so we can discuss it with your child present. This helps foster trust so that your child feels confident about being honest and open with their counselor. It also provides an opportunity for you and your child to practice communicating on a deeper level!

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept credit card and cash.

Do you accept insurance?

We do not file with insurance. We are happy to provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement as an out-of-network office.

There are several factors to consider when deciding whether or not filing with insurance is the right decision for you. Many insurance companies require a diagnosis before they will cover counseling services. Once a diagnosis is made and filed with insurance, it becomes part of your permanent record. For those seeking counseling for issues like relational difficulties or transition, sometimes a diagnosis is not applicable. Additionally, some insurance plans cover a limited number of sessions and require a more structured approach to counseling.

Will I need therapy forever?

The goal of counseling is to help you work through your story and challenges and develop the skills and support system that will enable you to thrive on your own. This takes longer for some people than others, and sometimes people need to return to therapy for a season after taking a break. However, our hope is that there will be a time when you feel confident about navigating challenges on your own and with your support system outside of therapy.

Do you prescribe medication?

We do not prescribe medication. We would be happy to refer you to a doctor who can talk with you about this.

How soon will things get better?

Counseling is not an overnight process, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It depends on the challenges you are facing, your background, lifestyle, support system, and how much you are willing to invest in the process. Clients who are willing to open up and put effort into processing and healing often find that they get more out of counseling than those who put in minimal effort.