Your First Visit
Initial paperwork can seem objective, impersonal and somewhat medical, but it is a legal requirement. Thus, you will be asked to read a document entitled Informed Consent and Professional Disclosure Contract. Feel free to ask questions and/or seek clarifications as you read through this information.
Before we officially begin you will have to sign the HIPAA Compliant Notice of Privacy Practices - Therapist Copy and the Informed Consent for Treatment section.
The first session usually consists of the following:
Relevant homework, assessment scheduling and/or fee payment structures may also be discussed and agreed upon at this time.
Finally, at the end of most appointments you will be given a very brief, quickly-filled-out assessment of the session and my part in it. This is a routine part of the therapy process and has been demonstrated to be of significant value in improving outcomes for clients.
Research has consistently shown that clients are impacted by:
While I cannot directly impact external circumstances in your life, I can certainly commit to a personally empathic, professionally authentic, and clinically caring interaction process. I can also attempt to convey (or sometimes hold onto on your behalf) a realistic hope within the context of the issues you disclose. I will try to provide competent, best-practice techniques, methods and materials, offer clear and concise explanations of what we are doing and trying to accomplish, and recruit your cooperation throughout the process.
When you're ready to take the next step, click here to submit a request via the online submission form. Alternatively, you may contact the office directly at (404) 819-2336.
Before we officially begin you will have to sign the HIPAA Compliant Notice of Privacy Practices - Therapist Copy and the Informed Consent for Treatment section.
The first session usually consists of the following:
- a brief overview regarding the legal boundaries of confidentiality
- a commitment to a safe, interactive process
- an introduction in your own words as to the specific reasons for seeking therapy
- a brief response on my part to the information I have been given
- a clear explanation to you concerning the options for moving forward
- a genuine request for consensus and collaboration
- an agreement on the next appointment date and time
Relevant homework, assessment scheduling and/or fee payment structures may also be discussed and agreed upon at this time.
Finally, at the end of most appointments you will be given a very brief, quickly-filled-out assessment of the session and my part in it. This is a routine part of the therapy process and has been demonstrated to be of significant value in improving outcomes for clients.
Research has consistently shown that clients are impacted by:
- Variables outside of the therapy context (40%)
- The relationship between the client and the therapist (30%)
- The hope and expectation that therapy will, in fact, prove to be helpful (15%) and
- The particular therapy model or technique applied (15%)
While I cannot directly impact external circumstances in your life, I can certainly commit to a personally empathic, professionally authentic, and clinically caring interaction process. I can also attempt to convey (or sometimes hold onto on your behalf) a realistic hope within the context of the issues you disclose. I will try to provide competent, best-practice techniques, methods and materials, offer clear and concise explanations of what we are doing and trying to accomplish, and recruit your cooperation throughout the process.
When you're ready to take the next step, click here to submit a request via the online submission form. Alternatively, you may contact the office directly at (404) 819-2336.