What to Expect in Your First Session
Starting therapy can feel like a big step, especially if you've never worked with a psychologist before. My goal is to make the process as straightforward and comfortable as possible so you can focus on what brought you to therapy.
Before Your Appointment
Once you schedule your initial appointment, you'll receive a confirmation email with instructions for setting up your secure client portal through SimplePractice. The portal is where you'll complete your intake paperwork, review and sign consent forms, and securely communicate about your care.
Please complete all intake paperwork at least 24 hours before your appointment. Reviewing your responses ahead of time allows us to spend more of our session focusing on you rather than paperwork.
At the time of your appointment, simply click the secure telehealth link that will be emailed to you. If you're joining from a desktop or laptop computer, no software or downloads are required—the session will open directly in your web browser. If you're joining from an iPhone or Android device, you'll be prompted to use the SimplePractice app. Please plan to join from a private location with a reliable internet connection and a device with a camera and microphone. If you've never used teletherapy before, don't worry—the process is straightforward, and I'll help ensure everything is working when we begin.
During Your First Session
Initial appointments are 60 minutes long and are designed to help us get to know one another and determine how I can best support you.
We'll typically spend the first 5–10 minutes introducing ourselves, reviewing confidentiality and the structure of therapy, and making sure you have an opportunity to ask any initial questions.
The majority of the session is spent discussing what brings you to therapy. We'll review the information you provided in your intake paperwork, explore your current concerns and relevant background, and begin identifying the goals you'd like to work toward. This conversation helps me understand not only the challenges you're experiencing, but also your strengths, values, and what you're hoping to gain from therapy.
During the final portion of the session, I'll summarize what I've heard, share my initial diagnostic impressions and recommendations, and discuss what treatment may look like moving forward. We'll also review any questions you have about scheduling, session frequency, billing, or the overall therapy process.
After Your First Session
By the end of our meeting, you'll have a clearer understanding of your concerns, the treatment approach I recommend, and what our work together might look like. If we decide we're a good fit, we'll schedule your next appointment and begin working toward the goals that are most important to you.
The first session is just the beginning. There is no expectation that you'll tell your entire life story in one meeting or have everything figured out. Therapy is a collaborative process that unfolds over time, and we'll move at a pace that feels thoughtful, supportive, and aligned with your goals.
Ready to book an initial appointment? Click here.