What is counseling like?

The idea of reaching out to a counselor for help and support can be intimidating. You may not know what to expect or “how it works.” We want to keep things as simple and stress-free as possible. That is why we offer online therapy- because it simplifies the time you need to commit to investing in yourself and your relationships. So, how does it work?

First, let’s talk scheduling…

• You can schedule an appointment directly from this website by clicking the “Request Appointment” tab. You will be asked what type of appointment you would like, pick your day and time, then enter your name, phone number, and email address. We will get a notification and approve your appointment time. Once it’s approved, you will get an email confirmation and link to go on the client portal and review/sign my consent forms, learn more about my practice, and tell us a little bit about you and your needs. You will also have a link to click on for your first appointment, which will initiate the video feed for us to meet. That’s it!

• If at any point before scheduling or while working together (or anytime really!) you can email or call us directly. If you’re not sure if counseling can help you or if we are a good fit to work together, we offer a free consultation to discuss.

Now, what to expect on your first appointment…

• Before your first appointment we will have reviewed your paperwork and intake information. This way our time together can be directed at getting to work, not filling out forms and reviewing what you have already done. We request that appointments are paid for in advance, but if they are not then we will briefly discuss how you’d like to pay for the appointment. You can easily pay via credit card through the client portal. If you are using insurance, we utilize a third-party biller to bill them directly.

• You will learn a little bit about your provider and the practice, and then we’ll get some more information about you, what’s happening in your life, and what you are looking for in working together.

• We understand that talking to someone new may be intimidating, and are mindful of not being too pushy. However, we do believe that the more up front you are able to be in the beginning the faster we can get to work and the better the outcomes.

• Appointments are 45-55 minutes and we are pretty intentional with sticking to this time frame.

After your first appointment…

• By the end of your first appointment we will have agreed on a plan for next steps. This may include further appointments to help with navigating your struggles, learning new skills, and looking at your values, beliefs, and barriers.

• Sometimes people only need one or two counseling sessions to start feeling better and living how they want to live. We will never try and keep you counseling longer than is necessary, but do believe that a good therapeutic relationship is one that is lasting. Your relationship with your counselor should be like the relationship you may have with your doctor or dentist. You work with them through the hard stuff, get regular checkups for preventative care, and come back when you need them.