New Therapy Patients Only

Counseling (also known as psychotherapy) can be short or long term in duration depending on your own personal needs. Initially, we will spend time getting to know each other as we develop an understanding of your problems and a plan for how to reach your personal goals. As you develop a greater degree of trust in this process, you may start to clarify your problems and come to understand yourself better. Note that counseling calls for a very active effort on your part. Counseling can also have benefits and risks. Since counseling often involves discussing unpleasant aspects of life, you may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, loneliness, or helplessness. On the other hand, counseling is shown to have many benefits, such as leading to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, and significant reductions in feelings of distress.

Research has shown the most important predictors of improvement in counseling are motivation to change and a focused goal. Most persons experience emotional improvement after five to ten sessions, but many persons may desire to continue in therapy after this time to achieve additional goals.

The first session is a diagnostic interview in order to gain information about you, although this session does include therapeutic direction. Subsequent sessions are typically scheduled on two-week intervals at mutually agreed-upon times. We would ask you to complete the history questionnaire (available here) prior to our meeting.

Policy on no-shows/cancellations

Please notify my office at least 24 hours in advance if you are unable to make your scheduled appointment. Emergencies or illnesses are taken into consideration; otherwise, failure to keep an appointment as scheduled will result in the standard fee being charged. Since I cannot bill the insurance company for missed appointments, you will be responsible for the entire fee.