Client Journey

Here’s an overview of your journey. This process is flexible and varies depending on the person, but it offers a general structure for how "Getting Started" in therapy typically works.
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Initial Consultation
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A brief phone call to review your needs, availability and how I believe I can help you heal. If after talking, you are motivated, committed and agreeable to my treatment approach, we would move to verify your benefits or discuss payments for services. I will email you intake documents based our discussion and verify your benefits prior to our first session.
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Intake & Goal Setting
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In your first session, we will review your background, history with your situation and symptoms, identify any immediate needs and begin talking about your goals.
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Specialty Services of ERP for OCD: Includes an additional reliable evaluation of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. This tends to take two sessions. Many clients choose to book an extended session during this time. After the inventory is complete, I will be able to discuss the subtypes of your OCD and identify the severity, so that we have a better treatment plan going into treatment. My treatment of OCD is based on the work of Dr Edna Foa, the author of many texts and treatment manuals on OCD, of which I am certified to use. Treatment (with client follow through) is typically equivalent to 20- 90 minute sessions. This depends on how many subtypes of focus and is based on the specific severity of OCD.
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The Therapy Sessions
Building Trust and the Therapeutic Relationship: Over time, we’ll build a trusting, supportive relationship. This is essential because therapy works best when you feel safe and comfortable sharing openly. I will continuously create a non-judgmental space where you can talk freely about your thoughts, feelings, and concerns.
Exploring Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors: During sessions, you’ll discuss your experiences, thoughts, and emotions. I may help you identify patterns in your thinking or behavior that contribute to your challenges. This step is about self-exploration and understanding how your past, present, and future are linked.
Developing New Skills and Coping Strategies: I will teach you practical tools and strategies to manage difficult emotions, reduce stress, and improve your mental well-being. You’ll learn how to challenge negative thoughts, change unhelpful behaviors, and develop healthier ways to cope with life’s challenges.
Progress and Reflection: Over time, you’ll reflect on the changes you’ve made and the progress toward your goals. Therapy is an ongoing process, and as you grow, you may set new goals or tackle deeper issues. Eventually, you’ll feel more empowered to handle challenges on your own, and therapy may come to a natural conclusion, though it’s always available if new issues arise.
Titration and Maintenance: I am big hearted, yet also pragmatic; when you improve, you should see me less. This allows for practice and independence sustainment of your own healing. We work together in this stage to discuss how you can maintain and when you may like to reach back out for a 'tune up' if you need it.
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Ending of or "Until Next You Need Me" Session: I learned early in my career and life that natural, healthy goodbyes are not only necessary but rare. It is essential to me as a professional care provider that I am preparing and planning treatment so that you benefit as quickly as possible, as efficiently as possible, and utilizing sound, clinical judgement at all stages of treatment. Our ending, like our work together, is significant, it may be a few sessions or only one (another reason I stopped many contracts with insurances). The time we spend together is meaningful to both of us. Goodbye should come when you are as ready as you can be to sustain your own progress and on that day, nobody will be more happy for you than me. I am eternally grateful to the men and women who have entrusted me with their stories to help them heal.
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Duration of therapy
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The length of therapy varies depending on your individual needs, goals, and the type of issues you're addressing. Some therapies are designed to be short-term, like CBT, while others, such as psychoanalysis, can be longer-term. If you have specific short term goals, therapy may be shorter. More complex or evolving goals can extend the duration. Everyone progresses at their own pace. Some people may achieve their goals quickly, while others may need more time to work through more complex experiences.
Ultimately, the length of therapy is flexible and depends on what feels right for you. We will regularly assess progress and determine when you’ve reached a point where you feel ready to conclude.