It’s normal to feel a little nervous about the first time you go to a therapist’s office–regardless of whether this is your first time in counseling, or just the first time you’ve come to see me. Below, I describe what it’s like to come to a session here.

Please arrive on time or a few minutes before your session. There’s parking in front of the building (except during the hours posted–check the sign!) and you can also park along the streets nearby or across 21st Avenue.

If the sign on my door says I’m “in session,” take a seat in one of the chairs outside my office. I’ll be with you soon. If the door is open or the sign says “Welcome,” come on in! Feel free to have a cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or a glass of water before taking a seat on the couch or chair.

At the beginning of most sessions, we’ll take a few minutes to make a list of things you hope to cover within our time together that week. I do this to make sure that we stay on track and ensure that your most important concerns are addressed. If you aren’t sure what you want to talk about, that’s okay too! I will suggest some starting points based on your treatment plan.

If this is your first session, things will look a little different. We will have some paperwork to go over and I will talk with you about what brings you to therapy. We will talk about how long you’ve been experiencing these issues, and we’ll talk about some other things too, like your family, your overall health, what you do for fun, and so forth. We will also discuss a basic “treatment plan.” A treatment plan is a list of things you want to work on changing in your life, and what your ultimate goals for those areas of life are.

Most sessions last between 50 and 60 minutes (except your initial intake appointment–that may last up to 90 minutes). At the end of these sessions, you can pay with a credit or debit card, a check, or cash. Make sure to let me know if you would like to receive an invoice or paperwork to give your insurance company.