Initial Session: What to Expect

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Whether you have been to counseling before or not, the thought of a first session with a provider can feel intimidating! Perhaps your mind is full of questions or worries, or maybe you feel overwhelmed with where to start. This is totally normal. 

 

The initial session is intended to give each of us (you, the client, and us, the clinicians) a little window into who the other person is. Can we work together? Can we grow a relationship that will be supportive of your personal journey? In addition to determining whether we seem like a good fit, you might consider if our individual approach makes sense for you and the issues you are hoping to work through. It is our job to ask similar questions! We want counseling to be a good use of your time and emotional energy, thus it is important to us that what we offer is well matched and appropriate for your needs. 

 

Like any relationship, however, it can take time to get a true sense of the other person involved and how they tick. You do not have to emerge from an initial session with absolute clarity around the above questions (we would be surprised if you did!). We welcome your curiosities and concerns throughout the counseling process, as our relationship and your therapeutic adventure evolve! 

 

Initial sessions - like follow-up sessions - are 50 minutes in length. In addition to exploration of major concerns, the first session may involve some paperwork and is often somewhat more structured than later sessions (for example, we may review your intake together and ask for more specific information). If you are utilizing insurance, please be sure to know your copay/coinsurance amount prior to meeting, and bring your insurance card with you. We look forward to getting to know you!

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