Beginning Counseling Services

During the initial phone call, we’ll gather some basic information. The new client paperwork can either be downloaded from the website or sent to you by mail. Complete the paperwork and bring it, along with any applicable custody paperwork and the insurance card, to your first counseling appointment.

During your first visit, we will talk about concerns and go over background information in depth.  This intake process can take up to two hours to complete and you can elect to do it in one long session or two shorter sessions.  This assessment time can often be interpreted by children to be very negative, as we are often talking about behavioral issues and concerns held by the child's caregivers.  For this reason, I request that the assessment sessions be completed without the child present as this can negatively impact the client/counselor relationship. By the end of the first session we will have an idea of what we will be working on, and we will begin that in the next session.

For the child's first session, I like to see the caregiver and child together for about half the session and then see the child separately for the last half of the session. After this, the child will have sessions without the parent. I encourage parents to keep me updated on important things going on with their children via email or phone calls. If we need to talk in depth then I’ll ask you to join us during the counseling session.