Don’t forget that your counselor is there to help you – their job is to help you meet your goals and to get you to the point where you no longer feel like you need additional support. They are there to help you answer questions, navigate resources and services, make decisions about how to get what you need, and support you in following through with your plans. The extent to which you are comfortable opening up, sharing, and being honest with your counselor will determine just how useful they will be to you. Please don’t feel embarrassed or self-conscious talking about any personal issues that concern you – this is what they are there for! Your counselor will not judge you, and what’s more, they won’t tell you what to do. Their job is to help you meet the goals and objectives you have identified. If you find that after working with your counselor for a while that your goals and objective have changed, let us know. The process is flexible, and if your goals change, it’s our job to change with you.

 

Before You Visit

 

What to Bring to the First Session

• Proof of Insurance
• Identification card
• All current prescriptions
• Any documentation from previous treatment that might be relevant
• Any documentation from school, work or any other personal paperwork that helps to describe the current situation

Understanding the session process

When you come for your first appointment, you will complete the required paperwork to initiate services with our company (such as the informed consent, a confidentiality agreement, permission to provide services at the school, etc.). You will also complete some individualized questionnaires that will give you the chance to tell us specifics about how you have been feeling. You will then meet with the licensed therapist, who will explain the nature of our program to you, then determine what concerns brought you to us, what goals you have for things to change, and some history about how you got to where you are today. With this information we are able to get a prior authorization from the insurance company to start providing services to you. We may also at this time refer you to additional resources or services as needed (including helping you make an appointment to meet with the psychiatrist if you are interested in medication).  Your assessment will be private and conducted in a quiet, comfortable environment. This assessment is the necessary step to unlocking access to all additional services we offer.