First Session
What to expect when we first meet
The first session is a 50-minute assessment, which you can attend either on your own or with your partner.
“Change begins when people feel heard, understood, and respected.”
— Steve Guziec, MS, LCPC
Assessment
A careful place to begin therapy
This initial meeting is a space for you to talk about the difficulties you are experiencing. I will ask questions to help us understand how these issues may be affecting your emotional and physical well-being, your relationships, and other areas of your life.
Together, we will explore when the difficulties began, what may have been happening in your life at the time, and whether you have already tried anything to address them. The assessment process is an important part of therapy in itself, helping us develop a clearer understanding of the problem, the factors that may contribute to it, and what may be maintaining it. This also helps us understand the current difficulties more fully and decide on the most appropriate treatment plan.
Before meeting with clients, I ask everyone to read and sign a confidentiality and service agreement, which can be accessed here.
For couples, the process usually begins with a joint session followed by individual sessions for each partner. This creates space for both shared reflection and individual perspectives. We will then meet again for a formulation session, where I will share my feedback and we will collaboratively decide on the most helpful therapeutic approach moving forward.
For individual therapy, the assessment will also include exploring previous relationships, family experiences, significant life events, and other relevant aspects of your personal history that may help us understand the current difficulties more fully.
There are many different approaches to therapy, and choosing the right kind of support can sometimes feel overwhelming. If you would like to speak with me before booking a full assessment session, I offer a free 20-minute pre-assessment conversation by phone or online via Zoom. This gives you space to ask questions about the therapy process and get a sense of whether working together feels right for you.
Arrange a free 20-minute conversation
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