Before you arrive
Most practices begin with a brief consultation call, mine included. That call is not therapy; it is a fit check. You describe, in as much or as little detail as you like, what’s bringing you in. I tell you honestly whether and how I can help. If I’m not the right fit, I’ll say so and point you toward someone who is.
Before the first full session you’ll complete intake paperwork, history, consent forms, and a financial agreement outlining fees and policies. Good Faith Estimates are prepared at the end of the year based on your actual spending for that year.
The session itself
A first session is a structured conversation, not an interrogation and not a performance. I’ll ask what brought you in, what you’ve already tried, what you want to be different, and enough history to begin a working map. You will not be asked to recount your worst experiences in detail, that level of work requires safety we build deliberately, and it is never extracted on a first meeting.
Just as important: I will tell you what I think may be happening and how I would approach it. You deserve a therapist with a point of view, and you deserve to hear it before you commit.
How to know if it’s a fit
Pay less attention to whether you were impressive and more to whether you felt accurately heard. Did she get it? Did the way she thinks make sense for your situation? Do you leave with even a small sense of possibility?
Fit is real, and it matters more than modality. If it isn’t there, a good therapist will help you find it elsewhere. You can read more about how I work, or check the FAQs for rates, insurance, and scheduling specifics.