WHAT TO EXPECT
Couple Counseling / Therapy
At out first appointment, we will discuss the nature and the history of your issues. I will help you and your partner begin to identify the negative interactive patterns between you so that you can defuse the repetitive conflict. We will begin to identify the feelings that underlie the distressing dynamic between you. I practice Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy. Please go to that heading to further understand the process of the sessions. Couple counseling is 75 minutes.
Individual Counseling / Therapy
At our first appointment, we will discuss what concerns brought you to seek counseling. I will want to get a general outline of the history of your issues and what you hope to accomplish through treatment. I will ask about your current life situation – relationships, work, support systems, etc. Through our conversation, we will discover if we have a good rapport and want to continue to work together. I will also let you know how I might be helpful.
In our second and subsequent appointments, we will focus more on your main concerns. Although I will want to know about your family of origin and important and meaningful events and relationships in your past, my focus is on present events. The past is discussed only as it affects the present. Much of our work is about finding new ways to look at and handle old problems that continue to trouble you. We will also spend time on identifying your strengths, interests and experiences that empower creative and satisfying solutions. Individual counseling is 45 minutes.
Child and Adolescent Counseling / Therapy
The first appointment is with the parents without the child. We discuss your child’s problems, school performance and social life, what you have tried to do, how your family has been affected, your family background and a general outline of the history of the problems. At the end of our meeting, I will tell you how I might help your child. You will see if your child and I will be a good fit.
Subsequent sessions are generally with the child alone. Occasionally, depending on circumstance, the parent is invited to join the session. With children, I expect to have frequent contact with the parents. This might be a phone or office consultation. Because of the heightened need for trust and privacy with adolescents, contact with parents is less frequent. However, if I believe your adolescent is in danger, I will certainly alert you. I let my adolescent patients know this at the beginning of treatment. The initial consultation with parents is 75 minutes. Child and adolescent counseling is 45 minutes.