The Process
How to Get Started
The first step is to schedule a 15-minute phone consult, at no cost. Because the therapeutic relationship is so important to positive therapy outcomes, I want to make sure we’ll be a good fit. I also want to ensure that I’m the best therapist to address your concerns.
To request this appointment, please click here.
After that point, we can schedule an intake appointment.
Because I reserve large blocks of time for appointments, a deposit is required to schedule the first appointment, and a credit card is required to be kept on file. The remaining balance will be charged to the card on file on the day of the appointment.
For all appointments, the full session fee will be charged to your credit card on file if you do not provide at least 24 hours’ notice for cancelling or rescheduling an appointment, or if you no-show to an appointment.
For information about the cost of services, please click here.
What to Expect
At your intake appointment, we will accomplish the following:
Complete standard intake paperwork. This includes consent forms, office information, program rules, patient rights and responsibilities, and billing information. It may seem like a lot, but it’s important information that will orient you to therapy and the Whole Dynamics office.
Complete intake assessment. During your intake appointment, you will meet with me, and we’ll get to know each other. We’ll talk about your concerns and reasons for seeking therapy, and we will also go over your developmental history. With this information, we will then develop your treatment plan, which identifies your goals and how we will work toward accomplishing them.
Discuss interest in group therapy. Because a therapy group requires a focus on the needs and well-being of several individuals in one setting, it’s important to make sure each participant is appropriate for the group and will be a good fit. Therefore, interested patients attend individual therapy sessions before beginning group therapy.
Schedule therapy appointments. I see patients weekly, which helps me better get to know you and makes me a more effective therapist. Patients express that scheduling weekly sessions helps to develop trust in the therapy relationship and comfort in the process much more quickly than when appointments are spread out.
After this, in your therapy appointments, we’ll dive into the therapy process…
Our Therapeutic Journey…
… Is a deep dive into the formative experiences that shape how we interact with the world around us. It's about understanding the stories that have been woven into the fabric of our lives from our earliest days. Whether it's the bonds we formed with family members or the early friendships that left a lasting impact, these narratives play a crucial role in the patterns we see in our relationships today.
Simply put, the bonds formed in childhood—with parents, siblings, or guardians—often set a stage for how you connect with others today.
Think of it like an invisible map that guides us. As children, we craft a model, comprising a set of expectations (beliefs) that we then carry into adulthood, unconsciously applying these early-formed standards to new relationships and situations, creating patterns that influence how we connect with others, how we react to life's ups and downs, and even how we view ourselves.
Understanding the map, and breaking patterns that no longer serve us, allows us to:
Build a sense of self/improve self-esteem
Form healthier relationships
Foster resilience
Find meaning and purpose in life
Achieve health and mental clarity
“Our stories come from our lives and from the playwright's pen, the mind of the actor, the roles we create, the artistry of life itself and the quest for peace.”
—Maya Angelou