” You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step” Martin Luther King Jr.
When a referral or request for therapy is made an initial assessment will be sent via email to seek the information required to triage the request. The initial assessment would need to be submitted before a session can be scheduled. Should the initial assessment outline that perhaps you would be more suited to another service to more closely match your area of need this will be communicated before attending any sessions.
The first session will readdress the initial assessment that you will have completed prior to the session to go over any questions or queries that you may have. We will discuss your expectations and what I can offer and note your goals for therapy. Once again, at this phase, should you or I believe that perhaps your area of need is better suited elsewhere, we can discuss this and I can support signposting. Should we both agree that therapy with me sounds a viable option then we will also discuss a mutually agreed contract for therapy at the first session.
Following initial assessment and contracting a space is offered for you to talk through the reasons that bring you to the therapy room. Honesty and openness at this stage (if you are able to) is conducive to better outcomes particularly on short term therapy. This space is also time for us to get to know each other and ultimately for you to decide if you would like to work with me.
The assessment may be completed again at an interim phase of any longer-term therapy to reflect on your progress and outcomes. All therapy (apart from Single Session Therapy) will include an ending assessment.