What to expect
Your first time in therapy can feel uncertain.
Where do I park? What do I bring? Will someone greet me? Am I supposed to do all the talking?
These are normal questions, and we’re here to make the process easy and comfortable.
Therapy is a good thing. It’s an investment in yourself, your relationships, and the quality of your life.
Our goal is simple: to make your time with us the best hour you give yourself all week.
Still have questions? Call or email us anytime. We’re happy to help.
What to expect
The first call
Your first connection with us will likely be a free 20–30 minute consultation call. During this time, we’ll talk briefly about what’s bringing you to therapy and how we might be able to help.
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It’s also your chance to ask questions and get a feel for how we work. If we don’t think we’re the right fit for your needs, we’ll be upfront, and we’ll do our best to point you toward someone who might be a better match.
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If it feels like a good fit, we’ll discuss scheduling options and answer any remaining questions.
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After the call, you’ll receive a welcome email with several appointment times to choose from, plus a few simple forms to complete before we meet. We’ll also include clear directions for parking and what to do if you arrive early.
The first visit
Therapy with us is relaxed, conversational, and collaborative. Our office is comfortable (maybe even a little lived-in) and we hope you’ll feel at ease from the moment you arrive.
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The goal of the first session is to understand what’s been going on and how it’s affecting you. We’ll talk through how you experience the problem, when and where it shows up, and what it feels like from the inside. In therapy terms, this is called developing an “experience-near” understanding. Meaning we start with your lived experience, not abstract labels or diagnoses.
Sometimes the problem is clear, like panic attacks, overwhelming anger, or relationship conflict. Other times, it’s more vague: “I don’t know what’s wrong. I just don’t feel like myself.”
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Where we begin doesn’t matter as much as beginning together, with honesty, curiosity, and shared understanding.
The second visit
While the first session is about understanding what’s happening now, the second session often shifts focus to your story. Where you’ve come from and what’s shaped you.
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We’ll explore your early experiences, family dynamics, and key events that have left a mark. Some of it may connect directly to the current struggle, and some may not. Either way, it helps us understand the bigger picture of your life, and is essential for meaningful, lasting change.
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You don’t need to prepare anything or know exactly what to say. We’ll guide the conversation and move at your pace.
The third visit and onward
By the third session, we’ll have a clearer sense of your goals and how we can best support you. We’ll share our understanding of what’s going on, talk through your needs, and offer options for how we might proceed. Always based on your preferences and comfort level.
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You’ll see early on that we take tailoring your experience seriously. Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all.
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The end of therapy
Therapy ends when it feels right for you.
Because we don’t work with insurance, there’s no outside timeline or pressure. You decide when the work is complete.
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How long will therapy take? That depends on your goals, your pace, and what feels helpful.
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Some clients come in weekly for a few months, then return occasionally when life throws something new their way. Others stay with us for years — sometimes meeting weekly, sometimes once a month. There’s no one-size-fits-all.
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What matters most is that it works for you.