Change Starts With One Forward Step

This supportive and informative 20-minute consultation call is designed to help you explore your needs and goals for therapy. During this call, you can expect to discuss your current challenges and what has brought you to seek support. I will listen attentively and answer any questions you may have about the therapeutic process. This is an opportunity for you to gauge whether my approach feels right for you. I believe in creating a safe space for open dialogue by having this free service with no obligation or commitment so you can feel empowered to take the first step on your journey whether that is with me or with another provider.

Our initial 65 minute session will serve as a foundational exploration of the various aspects of your life, including family dynamics, living situation, career, education, and mental health. Each of these elements can interplay, affecting your overall well-being. Identifying your strengths and acknowledging areas that might need attention is crucial for your emotional wellness journey.

During our time together, I will provide an overview of my practice policies and consent forms, ensuring you feel informed and comfortable. We will also complete a few assessments that will help us pinpoint your unique goals and objectives moving forward.

It’s natural to feel apprehensive about the first session, but I want to emphasize that this isn’t about being scrutinized or judged. Instead, think of it as an opportunity to introduce yourself in a safe and supportive environment. My focus is on fostering a sense of curiosity and genuine connection; every session is designed to respect your privacy and comfort. You deserve a space where you can explore your thoughts and emotions freely. Let’s take this journey together toward greater clarity and emotional resilience.

Our second session marks a pivotal moment in our journey together. Just like any meaningful relationship, it may take time for you to feel fully comfortable opening up about everything on your mind. I see this second session as an essential part of building our foundation and continuing to get to know one another better.

During this time, we’ll dive into various topics. This could include developing coping skills, normalizing your feelings, exploring how past experiences shape the present, and understanding the intricate ways our brains respond. We might also chat about your interests—pets, hobbies, family, worldviews, and those big questions about life—all of which contribute to your unique story.

Some people find clarity and healing after just one session, while others may require additional time to shift long-established patterns or to process significant experiences. I’m here to honor your timeline, whether you’re seeking short-term solutions or long-term growth. Together, we'll reflect on your progress and ensure you feel equipped to navigate life confidently on your own when you’re ready.

I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. These sessions are different than my emotion focused approach as we will be utilizing bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements to tapping, and focusing on creating change by processing past experiences. Both are effective for helping people process and create change. I will typically use what makes you the most comfortable.

In the early sessions, we will actually focus on building your present strengths so that you can regulate inside and outside of session. Many people report that these sessions are calming and positive. We continue with these sessions until you feel empowered and ready to handle daily challenges in addition to reprocessing past experiences.

In our reprocessing sessions, we will identify a memory and check in with your thoughts, emotions, and body sensations. We will use bilateral stimulation to keep you present and to access the brain’s natural healing mechanisms to decrease the intensity or charge of the memory and reprocess it. You may start to gain new insights and feelings about the memory, including finding new positive beliefs and feelings about yourself and your resiliency.

I use Sessions Health to offer a secure client portal and a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform for our virtual therapy sessions. When you book your initial session, you'll need to provide some information, which will help create your portal. At the time of your appointment, simply click on the personalized link provided, opening a tab in your web browser and entering you into a virtual waiting room. Once I’m ready, we’ll start a video call, allowing us to connect and engage in the therapeutic process. To enhance your experience, I can share handouts and use screen sharing features during our sessions, ensuring that you feel engaged and supported throughout our time together.

My primary goal is to offer a nurturing and curious space where you can give yourself permission to face the uncomfortable things in your life. This intention is my good foundation that helps me make each session dynamic and fluid for what you need.