OUTLINING THE ISSUES & THE PLAN
In the initial consultation, I start by asking what prompted the scheduling of the appointment. I also ask what a successful course of therapy would look like to you, so I can get an initial understanding of the changes you seek to make. During this appointment, I mostly listen and I ask questions in order to develop the possible contours of the treatment plan.
THERAPIST-PATIENT TREATMENT ALLIANCE
The initial consultation is a good opportunity for you to see if my approach, training and experience would be a good fit. In other words, the consultation is a chance for you to get an idea of what it might be like for us to work together on matters that are very personal to you.
Every therapist brings a unique approach to the therapeutic process, however similar their academic background and professional training may be.
Finding a therapist that you consider a good stylistic match is important because decades of research on the psychotherapy process have shown the treatment alliance to be a significant predictor of positive treatment outcomes.
PRACTICAL MATTERS
In the latter half of the consultation, I go over some of the parameters for therapy including confidentiality; frequency of sessions; session fees; insurance; and my cancellation policy. I also reserve time at the end of the consultation for questions about my training and the therapy process.