Before the First Session
E-mail to schedule, or call 215-437-3414 for a free 15 minute phone consultation!
Share a brief bit about how you’d like me to help.
Schedule a date and time to meet.
Complete the initial session paperwork; we will go over it together in session to make sure we get to discuss important information in person.
Decide how you would like to pay for sessions. At this time, insurance is not accepted.
The First Session
When we first meet, we will be interviewing one another. I want to see if my therapeutic style and qualifications are a good fit, and you need to see if you believe I am a good fit for you.
We will review the logistics, like: expectations, risks and benefits, structure and length of therapy, cancellation policy, fees, my availability, release of information, confidentiality, consent, and any other tidbits we need to discuss. I want you to make a well-informed decision about your treatment.
I will conduct a clinical assessment to gain an understanding of possible treatment modalities to support you. This can take multiple sessions to complete.
You will be free to ask me questions throughout the entire process.
Fees are due at time of service.
If it is determined that we are a good fit, we will decide when the next time to meet will be as well as the frequency of our sessions. If one party decides that we are not a good fit, I will gladly provide referrals for other therapists, if you are interested in my doing so.
Then What?
I do not subscribe to any cookie-cutter form of treatment. I believe we all come to the table with our own unique experiences and worldviews; therefore we require individually tailored therapy.
If you are a parent- we will figure out how and when to incorporate sessions with your child, your partner or co-parent, etc. Depending on your situation, the set-up will vary.
If you are a teen, we will primarily do our work just the two of us. Depending on your situation, we will talk about when to bring in others that are important in your life, in order to best support your progress.
Theory will help guide sessions based on presenting symptoms, as will appropriateness of client fit and my clinical expertise. Together we will create a treatment plan that works for you.
Doc, will you be real with me?
Yes, I will be honest with you. Therapy will not be a smooth ride in which only pleasantries are experienced. There will be many emotional experiences throughout the process, and there will be times when you share parts of your thoughts, feelings or life story that may connect you with feelings of joy, pain, discomfort, relief or another felt sense. This is all part of learning, growing, and healing. As with anything in life that we want to strengthen or grow in, there are growing pains, plateaus and feel-good moments. I will be there with you, through the triumphs and the challenges.