GUIDELINES FOR THERAPY
Therapy is a process that allows you the freedom and privacy to discuss issues that are often painful or difficult to discuss with family or friends. You may be feeling apprehensive about the therapy process. The following are some suggestions that may help your therapy experience to be more effective:
- Write down questions, topics, or issues you would like to focus in our session together prior to your arrival.
- Communicate your expectations to me so that we are working together towards the goals that are important to you.
- Provide feedback to me so that I know how you are doing (i.e. “I want to focus on my grief more”)
- Feel free to communicate with me any changes you may need regarding the frequency of your sessions or a desire to end counseling.
- If you desire to bring someone in to the therapy session with you (partner, relative, friend), please discuss it with me prior to their arrival.
- If there are other professionals involved with your care (i.e. physician, attorney …) I would be glad to coordinate with him/her if you wish. It is not advisable to have more than one mental health counselor involved in your treatment at one time.
- Make a commitment to yourself to remain in therapy and attend regular sessions for as long as you feel necessary. If you wait until a crisis, it will be more difficult to build long-lasting coping skills.
- If for any reason you would like to see a different therapist, please feel free to tell me. I can provide you with the names of other therapists.