In your first session….
During your first visit I will review confidentiality, and office policies. Also, we will discuss insurance, billing, fees, etc. The first session is usually used as an assessment, and for initial goal setting. We will discuss what prompted you to call when you did, and how the issue your struggling with is impacting you on a day-to-day basis. We will discuss your attempts to resolve the issue or relieve the impact. We will discuss what you hope to get out of the session, and the counseling experience. The first session is for getting to know each other, and deciding if we are a good fit. My document titled “Informed Consent” will help you learn more about the counseling experience overall. You will be provided the document during your first appointment for review, signature and to keep for your own record.
Referrals
I sometimes encounter a client who may need a service that I cannot offer. I am ethically bound to refer clients to providers who can best serve their needs. Some examples of referral resources would be:
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist: Sometimes clients benefit from psychological testing in order to determine an accurate diagnosis, or develop treatment strategies. This can be helpful for education purposes, or disability purposes.
- Psychiatrist: Only a Medical Doctor ( M.D.) can prescribe medication, and a psychiatrist is a specialist in this field. Medication can be beneficial for clients in conjunction with “talk therapy.”
- Substance Abuse Program: Sometimes a client may struggle with chemical dependency/abuse issues that require a “higher level” of care in order to achieve or maintain sobriety. If this is the case I will refer clients to intensive outpatient, or inpatient services.