The Therapeutic Process

While therapy is an individualized experience for each person, couple, and family, there is an overarching therapeutic process you can use to set your expectations and to deepen your understanding. The length and pace of this process are unique to each person and are based on their presenting concerns, symptoms, and goals for therapy. 

1. Identify the need for therapy:

Some people know their specific reason for seeking therapy, while others may not know exactly what is wrong but know they want support and change. This need can be for you, your child, your intimate relationship, or your family. 

2. Reach out for a consultation and schedule first session:

For many, taking this step can be the hardest part. People may feel nervous, may struggle to make the time for themselves, or may have had difficult experiences asking for help or receiving help in the past. 

The consultation is a brief 10-15 minute phone call. The purpose of the consultation is to ensure that you feel I am a good fit for your needs, that you feel I can understand and help you with your problem, and that you get your questions about therapy answered so you feel comfortable moving forward. The consultation also helps me understand your reason for seeking for therapy and to ensure your need is in my areas of specialty and clinical focus. We will schedule our first session at the end of this call if you are ready to move forward. If you are experiencing a need for therapy that is outside of my scope, I am happy to provide you with referrals for other professionals to ensure you receive the best treatment possible. 

3. The first session: 

The first session is different from other sessions. It is an evaluation session to gather your personal history, to identify and describe the symptoms and experiences you are having, and to create goals for therapy.

4. Sessions early on:

After the first session, our sessions early on will focus on establishing trust and further developing our working relationship. These sessions are structured in the way that I invite you to identify where you would like to start in the session and I will ensure we remain focused on our established goals. It is perfectly normal to be unsure of how or where to start in a session, and I am happy to guide you in these situations. 

5. Working Stage:

Once we establish trust and a working relationship, sessions continue to be focused on our established goals. You are attending sessions consistently and are intentionally working towards your goals during and outside of sessions. This is typically when you start to notice changes in your thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. 

6. Review Progress:

We consistently review your efforts and progress towards your goals for therapy during the working stage and adjust, revise, and/or add new goals as necessary. 

7. Continue Until Goals are Met:

Sessions continue and are adjusted for frequency based on clinical need, symptom management, and your progress towards your goals. We work towards being able to maintain your progress with less frequent sessions (ex: from weekly sessions to every two weeks, three weeks, or monthly). 

8. Termination:

Therapy is not forever and comes to an end when you have developed the skills and support you need to cope with life's challenges and when you have met your goals for therapy. Termination can be seen as a graduation and is something to be proud of. Of course, if symptoms return, if you need additional support, or if you have additional goals you wish to focus on you are welcome to start therapy again at any time.