Getting started can often be a difficult part of the therapy process. You may feel a mixture of emotions such as relief and anxiety about beginning to open up about what is troubling you.

Making Contact

You may email me, call me or use my contact page to discuss your interest in counseling or in learning more about whether counseling might be right for you at this time.  We can then set up a free phone consultation in which you can let me know how I can help you and ask me any questions you have about me and my practice. After speaking on the phone or emailing with each other, if you decide you would like to meet, we will look at our calendars to schedule your first appointment.

• When working with couples, the first session includes you and your partner.  The second and third sessions are individual sessions, one with you and one with your partner.  It is important to me to feel as though I am walking alongside each of you on behalf of your relationship and meeting with each of you individually, helps me to do that.  Then, session four includes you and your partner again.   The first three sessions are for assessment for us to get to know each other and to figure out if working together would be a good choice given your relationship concerns and my approach. If we decide that I’m not the best person to work with you, I will be happy to help you find another therapist to work with.

• When working with families & individuals, the first two sessions are for assessment for us to get to know each other, and to figure out if working together would be a good choice given your situation and my approach. If we decide that I’m not the best person to work with you, I will be happy to help you find another therapist to work with.

Beginning the Process

In the first few sessions I will do a lot of careful listening so that I can learn about you, your relationship(s) and your concerns. Along with listening, I will ask you questions and offer my thoughts about what you are telling me to help you make sense of those things that seem concerning or have you  feeling stuck. During these first few sessions, it is often helpful to pay attention to your level of comfort and openness with me, as finding a therapist with whom you feel comfortable is essential to the process of change and growth.

I also welcome any questions and concerns you may have about therapy or working with me. Any topic is fair game, and I hope that you will feel comfortable to be as honest as you can about yourself and how you are feeling.

Please feel free to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you and to working together.

Privacy

Praciting within the Washington, D.C. area, I understand that privacy, confidentiality and security are often a concern. Your privacy and confidentiality are of utmost importance to me. Your privacy is protected by the HIPAA Laws and by my Code of Ethics of my professional association- The American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT). I follow these standardized guidelines for confidentiality in terms of privacy policies and their exceptions.