Making an Appointment

Often, people are hesitant to start therapy because they don't know what to expect. We recognize that reaching out takes tremendous courage and commend you on getting this far. Finding the right therapist and getting started with the therapy process can feel like an overwhelming task. Its important that you and your therapist are a good match. For that reason, we offer free phone consultations prior to scheduling your first appointment. In this phone conversation, we'll try our best to answer your questions about the practice, approach to treatment, and our training. This will also give us an opportunity to discuss schedules to see if ours will line up. At the end of this discussion, you should have an idea of whether or not you'd like to set up an appointment.

The First Appointment

For your first appointment, you'll meet with your therapist to discuss your needs and goals for therapy. We'll take the time to fully understand your current struggles while also gaining a basic understanding of your personal history and the factors of your life that may keep you stuck. This assessment process forms the foundation for the work we’ll be doing together. Because the human experience is complex, the assessment process happens across time as we begin to work together. This is also the time you’ll get a better sense of our therapeutic style. Therapy an be uncomfortable at first and we encourage you to spend a few sessions considering if you and your therapist are a good fit.

*Please note our offices are currently located on the second floor and require use of our stairs. Please notify us if you have accessibility concerns so that we may arrange accommodations in advance.

Will therapy really help?

The results of therapy are based on how much you engage in the process and put concepts into practice outside the therapy room. There is a common misconception that therapy is just 'venting' or talking to someone who passively listens, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Those who are committed and engaged will see the most benefit. In reality, therapy is what you make of it.

How can therapy help me?

There are many different ways that therapy can help you, all done in the context of a meaningful and supportive relationship.

• Clarify your values based on what's truly meaningful to you, and use them to inspire and motivate you towards change.

• Learn to effectively deal with painful thoughts and feelings in order to lessen the impact they have on your life.

• Heal through a safe, authentic and healthy relationship with your therapist.

• Learn to set boundaries with others and improve relationships in your life.

• Identify the (often hidden) patterns of your life that ‘hook you’ and keep you stuck.

• Process painful events from your past in order to gain freedom in the present.

• Build coping skills and effectiveness, and learn how to problem solve in a way that actually works.

• Build self-worth and self-compassion.

• Build insight into who you are and the inner working if your mind.

• Identify and let go of unhelpful beliefs.

• Get support from an ‘outside’ person who is invested in your success as you define it.

• Be able to engage fully with the present moment with openness and curiosity.

See a complete list of specialties here.