What to Expect

Before we find ourselves deep in session where we’re really beginning to explore your experience, there are a few steps that happen first…

We’ll start with a free consultation to get the ball rolling…

For this, we’ll hop on the phone and chat. This call is free, so we can interact without your having to worry about cost.

When you call me, I’ll either answer right away or return your call ASAP if I’m in a session. You can expect to hear back from me within 1-2 hours (tops). Once we’re on the phone, I’ll ask things like…

What are some of the daily challenges you have that make life feel difficult?

What has your experience been with therapy in the past?

Have you experienced any traumatic events in life? (NOTE: We won’t go into detail with this over the phone, because I want to be sure you stay safe and regulated. A simple “yes” or “no” is enough at this point.)

Rather than it feeling like a stiff question-and-answer call, you’re going to feel as though you’re talking to a real human… because you are.

I don’t do the cartoonish therapist-y thing where I ask a question and then say, “Ah, interesting!” and then move on without any actual response.

The call is meant for me to start to get to know you AND for you to start to get to know me.

We then decide TOGETHER if we feel as though we’ll be a good fit for therapy and should proceed with an intake. That’s an important point: It’s a collaborative decision. It’s your right and privilege to feel good about the therapist you work with. If it feels as if I might not be the best person for you, then that is certainly not something I will take personally. In fact, I will provide you with other resources that may be a better fit if that’s the case.

If we’re a fit, then we’ll schedule an intake session at my office.

The intake will be 50 minutes – just like a regular session. And because it’s an intake rather than a true therapy session, it’ll be just half the hourly rate. During the intake, we’ll get into more detail about your history, and I’ll answer any questions you have about therapy with me. If it’s still feeling as though we are a good fit, we’ll schedule our first therapy session together.

If it turns out we’re not the best fit, I have referrals for other resources that may be helpful. I am more than happy to make an initial phone call to fill a new resource in on what we’ve discussed already (only with your signed consent), or I can simply provide you with these resources for you to explore on your own. This is something we can discuss and sort out together if you feel like you’d prefer some support in the process.

Then… we’re off to the races!

Sessions with me are 50 minutes, and you can begin by scheduling just one session at a time, or you can buy a package of sessions.

So… what is the benefit of working with me instead of another therapist?

There are a few things. First, as a woman, I am in the trenches of our societal sexism with you. I am experiencing those daily struggles that we experience as women. I’ve spent a lot of time in school working with women, consulting with other therapists and experts, and traveling on my own healing journey to learn how we can counteract those experiences and feel whole.

I talk the talk, AND I walk the walk.

On that note, I’ve haven’t spent all this time learning just so I can tell other people what to do. I practice all of these things myself. Of course, my particular recipe for wellness won’t be the exact one that matches your needs. How boring would life be if we all needed the exact same things? The answer is “very, very boring.”

My personal journey of healing mixed with my time in the field makes me particularly well-equipped to help you find your unique recipe and truly ignite your fire within.

What bad therapy looks like…

Part of my process in learning how to be a therapist has been learning what NOT to do… in addition to what TO do. I have had my fair share of bad therapy experiences, and my view is that there is a particular approach that’s problematic:

Some therapists approach therapy as if they are “experts on life” – as if they know all the answers, and they are there to impart their utterly magnificent and infallible wisdom.

Let me tell ya… that’s problematic in several ways. That approach creates a power dynamic where the client always feels inferior and less-than. Doesn’t that sound like the opposite of what therapy should be doing? Not ideal.

That approach also indicates a lack of self-reflection and authenticity on the part of the therapist, which should be a red flag. Therapists are humans too, and therapists should also be in a continuous parallel process of growth and change. That’s how we connect with people – in those spaces of vulnerability and authenticity. Not in perfection.

There are so many wonderful therapists in the world!

Let me take a step back here and say that. I am not citing those qualities above to say I’m the best at everything and everyone else stinks. That would be doing the exact gross thing that I just described above.

My point is that my approach is to be a real human in the room with you. I am not perfect; and you can expect that there will be moments where I may apologize for saying something triggering, or I may check in to see how something I said is landing with you. We’re exploring together, and I will be the real human that I am when we are in session together.

You won’t feel as though I’m in charge in the room, and you’re some inferior being trying to learn things from me. Instead it will feel like you’re meeting with a confidant and fellow explorer who is curious, wants to walk alongside you in your journey, provide support and an outside perspective, and has only one goal: to help you experience healing and feel like your best, most whole self.

You don’t have to keep slogging through your day-to-day, going nowhere.

You can feel satisfied, even nourished, by your life.

Sometimes it will feel really hard to get there, and sometimes it’ll be joyful and hilarious and light. And sometimes it’ll be ten different variations of happy, sad, angry, amused, and surprised all at once.

But wouldn’t you rather feel like you’re moving toward healing and well-being than sitting in a holding pattern of struggle?

I’d love to be a teammate in helping you get there. Call me today to schedule your appointment: (720) 432-3842.