First Step

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
-- Confucius

At our first session, I will focus on your concerns, what brought you into
therapy at this time, and any other contributing factors.

I will ask questions to clarify my understanding of your concerns, and to
get you to begin thinking differently about your situation.

We'll discuss your goals and expectations,
and how you will know when things are better.

My intent will be to help you get "unstuck" from psychological problems,
become the best healer and problem-solver you can be, and
restore your self-respect, self-worth, and self-mastery.

I want to offer you hope and reassurance that viable solutions exist, and
help you see problems as challenges to change.

I will work with you to transfer therapeutic insight and understanding into
action to create meaningful changes in your life and relationships.

Therapy offers many "gifts", including anxiety reduction, depression relief, clarity, reassurance,
hope and faith, goal setting, and new and better coping skills.

In order for any progress to be made in therapy, you must feel that you and I are a good match;
that you can trust me and feel safe enough to share your innermost concerns.

Research has consistently shown that the therapeutic alliance is
vital to helping you resolve your problems.

You must ultimately decide if you think "I get it", and that
we communicate on the same wavelength.

I welcome the opportunity to provide a free 10 - 15 minute initial telephone consultation to
gain a preliminary understanding of your situation, and mutually explore
how my background and experience could help you.

If you decide that you would like to try working with me,
we can schedule your first appointment.

Before your first counseling session, there are several forms
you need to review and complete. If possible, please review,
download, and complete these forms before your first session.

• Full set of First Appointment Forms

The individual forms in the set are:

• Notice of Privacy Practices (HIPAA)
• Office Policies and Procedures
• Client Information Form
• Consent to Use and Disclose Your Health Information
• Authorization to Use and Disclose Protected Health Information (PHI)

If you decide to complete the forms at my office, please
arrive before our scheduled appointment to allow at least 15 minutes to do so.
You may wait until we meet in person to sign the forms so that
we can discuss any questions or concerns you may have first.