Schedule an appointment now or call 512.850.2287
Schedule an appointment now or call 512.850.2287
Enter. Relax. Let your guard down. I recognize meeting with someone new the first time can be somewhat nerve wracking.
It’s kind of like the first day of school in a way, with that whole range of emotions you feel just before arrival- anxiety, anticipation, fear, hope, joy.
Once you’re past it, it’s a bit like chatting with an old friend. Albeit the one that likes to probe with 20 questions, but hey… we all have one!
Kidding.
I won’t lie, therapy can be downright hard some days, and even harder on others. It’s the nature of the beast when working through tough issues.
But the first visit is always the hardest. That’s why I invite you to take your time browsing my site and get to know me a bit. After that first session things become smoother, if not exactly easier.
In the meantime, because not everyone loves surprises, let’s do a quick walk through of what you can expect when you arrive.
You can find my office at 401 E. 53rd Street, STE 102. It’s located in an eclectic central location, with a hip, vintage Austin vibe. I share my office with Jason Senko, who runs Elephant Acupuncture. (I promise to allow no elephants in the room except your own. Kidding again. See? We’re having fun already!)
You’ll notice the lettering on our front window when you pull up. You’re welcome to park directly out front when you arrive and upon entering my office, there is no receptionist, so please make yourself comfortable in the waiting room until I can greet you.
Sessions are tailored around your needs. However, in general you can expect to meet once a week, unless an alternate schedule has been discussed. Each session is 45-50 minutes in length.
Generally change can be seen within three sessions of working with you, although on average I work with a client spanning something closer to 5-20 sessions.
In session, you can expect me to ask quite a few questions of you, listen to you openly, and explore just what it is you hope to achieve with our time together. Initially we will spend a few moments going over your paperwork and what brings you in for treatment. I also want to know how you view therapy as being helpful for you.
How can you get the most out of therapy sessions? Therapy is a joint effort, and being open and willing to explore topics that come up allows for the highest chance of success.
On that note however, you should never feel that you must talk about topics that are too uncomfortable for you to voice. A sensitive therapist will give you permission to cover only the ground you wish to cover. This serves to give you a sense of control over the session’s progress and reduces the chances of you feeling overwhelmed.
A good practice to put into play before your session is to write down some things you are currently struggling with that you’d like to examine during therapy. Coming prepared allows you to maximize our time together and glean the most benefit from your session.
As a final thought, while I will be asking you plenty of questions, don’t be afraid to ask some of your own. Asking your own questions about therapy, the process and how things work is a great way to alleviate some fears and relax enough to open up.
Please be aware that I am legally and ethically bound to adhere to the Code of Conduct determined by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, and the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists. Copies of these codes are available upon request:
Tx St. BOE of Professional Counselors / Marriage & Family Therapists
Texas Department of State Health Services MC-1982
P.O. Box 149347, Austin, Texas 78714-9347
Telephone: (512) 834-6658 or 6657
