I expect you to have a lot of questions. If they aren’t answered here, write them down and bring them to your consultation call.
Taking the first step
I want to encourage you to make a move on what has gotten you this far. If you think it’s possible that we might work well together, the first step is to schedule a first session or free 15-minute consultation call with me. Our job in a consultation is to determine if we communicate well together, and if what I have to offer matches what you need. If you want to move forward, we end the call by scheduling an ongoing weekly appointment that is yours as long as you want it.
Before the first session:
You will receive step-by-step instructions from me via email. Look for intake paperwork from me from SimplePractice that includes some legal documents and questionnaires. Please fill those out as soon as possible and before our first meeting. My 48 hour cancellation policy is in effect once our first session is scheduled.
Our First sessions:
It takes 2-3 sessions to conduct a thorough assessment. Your questionnaires will give me a head start. In addition to learning about your symptoms, I am getting to know you, what matters to you, and what is great about you. I want to understand what you want to get out of therapy, and we’ll set some clear goals. We will be building a plan and a map together and I will tell you specifics about what methods I recommend to support you.
Course of Therapy:
Everyone’s course of therapy is different. Some people want clarification on diagnosis and some self-help guidance, and work with me briefly. A portion people work with me around 6-12 months to resolve acute symptoms. It is also common for clients to wish to work longer term, or need more time and support to reach their goals.
How long and how often are sessions?
I schedule standalone couples and family therapy for 60 minutes, or 75 if requested. All other sessions are 50 minutes. Clients start out with weekly appointments, and we discuss recommended frequency after assessment. Adjunct sessions, like parent meetings, one-off family sessions, or partner support sessions, are 50 minutes and scheduled separately. Consultation meetings are scheduled based on your needs.
What’s your cancellation policy?
Your weekly spot is reserved for you. If you cannot make your appointment, please provide 48 hours notice. Sessions canceled with less than 48 hours notice will be charged the session fee. If you want to try to reschedule instead, I will do my best to accommodate you, schedule permitting.
Technical questions
How do you handle lateness?
Being on time is important to making progress. If punctuality is one of the challenges bringing you to therapy, then we will work together to build strategies to help you get to session on time. It is very helpful if you let me know if you are running more than 5 minutes behind. I stay available to you for the first 15 minutes of session and will reach out if I think you forgot. After that, if I haven’t heard from you, I reassign my time. If you do not show for session, please let me know that you are OK as soon as you are able to.
Can we do family therapy and individual therapy?
I incorporate family therapy into individual therapy when we agree that some of the presenting concerns are related to the family system. This recommendation will come after we complete our assessment. For young adults living at home, as a best practice, I aim to incorporate family members at some level during my assessment phase. If this practice would not be workable for you, we can discuss together during a free consultation call.
What’s the difference between ADHD coaching and therapy with you?
My approach with ADHD focuses on the psychological effects of living in a world not built for you, including surviving harsh treatment from others and endless frustrations. I am familiar with these dynamics and can help you skill-build around them: shame, try-harder and forcing-it approaches, self-sabotage, emotions that come on like tsunamis, people-pleasing, avoidance and procrastination, perfectionism, inconsistency, over-reliance on easy dopamine (ie gaming, substances, overwork, food). I can also help you take organized action; but if you are exclusively looking for accountability, executive functioning tips, planning, and action tracking to get you down a clear path you have already chosen, coaching might be a better fit.
What if my Partner has OCD (or autism, or aDHD) and I don’t?
I want you to feel at home here, too. If you’ve been overfunctioning in your relationship or are at a loss for how to not trigger your partner, you might be feeling exasperated and lonely. You might be wondering if the chasm between your neurotypes is too big to bridge. I can help you build understanding, systems, and connection, so that if you want to stay with your partner, you feel like you have the tools to do that.
My experience as a therapist is varied. If you consider yourself neurotypical but are also impacted by neuronormativity, anxiety, and stress, then let’s connect and see if we are a fit.
Why do you use the word Autistic? What if I’d rather use a different word?
Many people find the identity-first language of “autistic” empowering and de-stigmatizing, and many people don’t. It’s OK if you want to use language that separates you from autism, or if you want to talk about yourself in specific ways rather than with a diagnostic label or cultural group. Many people feel or express judgment about autistic people, and it makes sense to wish to avoid stigma and some of the negative associations of being labeled autistic. I use the word autistic because I think talking around it implies that it’s a bad thing. There is much to appreciate and celebrate about the autistic experience. That’s my personal preference. When we work together, we will use your preference - it’s your life we’re talking about.
My Neurodivergent Family member won’t try Therapy. What are my options?
I am guessing your family member would benefit from some help, but there are a lot of reasons why people are reluctant to change and/or accept support, specifically therapy. Let’s talk and see if we can build a strategy together to influence your family member’s readiness for change. Or we can work together to navigate the situation you find yourself in.