Starting Counseling

Let’s get you familiar with the counseling process. reduce anxiety + increase confidence in getting started.

“Something needs to change.”

Hurray! YOU have decided that you want something different.

You call or message Forward + Through for a complimentary 15 min initial chat to answer some basic, introductory questions + to assure we can provide what you’re looking for.

request consultation Call

Schedule an Initial Appointment

Another HURRAY! Let’s say you along with the Forward + Through counselor have decided that you are a good fit. It’s time to schedule an initial appointment.

Initial paperwork

You’ll be asked to complete some preliminary paperwork so your counselor can become familiar with who you are + what you’re hoping for in counseling.

Reminders

Your schedule is hectic + we want to help. You’ll receive a reminder text or notification about 24 to 48 hours prior to your session. You’ll confirm that via our confidential electronic medical record, SimplePractice.

Initial paperwork bundle (sent via Simple Practice) before your 1st session

Initial Appointment (aka Clinical Intake)

You come to your initial appointment, either in person or virtually depending, on your preference.

Consider this an initial get-to-know-you before you dive into the deep work of therapy. No need for intimidation or fear – your counselor will ask questions to get to know you + you can share what you’d like.

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Setting Your Focus

You are in the driver’s seat as you + your counselor decide what to focus on during your counseling sessions.

You’ll be asked what you want to focus on in your treatment. Here are a few prompts to help you get started thinking about this question:

Think of the various areas in your life: Family, friends, work/career, self-esteem + self-worth, health, romantic relationships, finances, independence, etc.

Prompts to identify treatment goals;

What will your life look like when things are going well?
What would change or suddenly be better to feel like you’re living the life you’d like?
How will you know it’s time to end treatment?
In what realms would things be different + what would the differences be?

Examples of treatment intentions/goals:

I want my confidence to increase so I feel capable at work + so I could pursue mentoring others, which I really enjoy.

I aim to feel worthy of a healthy, balanced, + FUN relationship.

My health would be a priority so I feel energized, sleep better, + feel more confident.

Treatment

Therapy starts at the first interaction but deepens as you have more sessions.

The length of treatment depends on the client’s intensity of symptoms, counselor recommendations, evidence-based treatment recommendations with a heavy dose of client preference.

Counseling could be done on an individual basis at first then opened up to a partner or spouse for couples counseling. There could be an addition for a symptom-specific group, like Why Worry?, an anxiety treatment group. Whatever treatment course is recommended, YOU get to decide.