About individual therapy
Beginning therapy takes courage. Many clients only call a therapist when they have tried everything they know how to do and have read every self-help book they could find. Others are tired of reaching the same crossroads again and again whether it be in their relationships, an addiction, ( substance abuse or compulsive behavior), low self-esteem, their career or with a chronic issue such as anxiety or depression. Whatever is bringing you to therapy, I will talk with you about all the therapeutic options available to you and offer you hope and a solution.
Meaghan’s therapy process
All therapists work a little differently depending on their training, their type of licensure, and their own life experiences. I am a solution-focused therapist. I use a structured approach that is psychoeducational, psychodynamic, practical and compassionate. My goal is to provide effective interventions while facilitating long-term change. For clients who are able to commit to counseling two or three times a week, it is very effective for intensive work and accountability.
What to expect first few sessions
Session 1
Ideally, our first session will be 75 minutes, that is how much time is needed to complete the intake and discuss your goals therapy. If this is not possible we will get as much done as possible in 50 minutes.
It will save time if you complete the new client paperwork to bring with you to your first appointment. Completing the paperwork is a suggestion, but if it feels overwhelming, don’t worry, we will go through it together. The first thing we will do together is go over limits of confidentiality, legalities of therapy, insurance, payment, and professional releases.
Your first session will be the details of what is bringing you to therapy and what you hope will be different in your life as a result. I will draw a genogram also known as a family map which will provide me with a lot of useful information about who you are and how you grew up. Your family of origin plays a significant role in your how you feel about yourself, how your world view has been framed, and how you interact with people.
Session 2
During your second session, I will spend time going through your intake form that you brought in and any additional information added from your first session so I can get a firm understanding of your symptoms. If indicated, I will do a depression and an anxiety inventory to get a base line on your overall wellbeing specific to depression and anxiety. I will discuss a diagnosis which is necessary for you if I am going to submit forms to your insurance company. The remainder of the session we will prioritize your issues and discuss your goals. I will provide suggestions for which treatment topics and approaches I think are the right direction. If we decide that EMDR will be your primary treatment process, this is where we will build your Target Sequence Plan.
Session 3
Between the second and third sessions I will begin to give you work to do in between sessions to further impact your progress and build on psychoeducation, introspection, and accountability for growth.
Session 4
At this point therapy goals should be taking shape and you are beginning to use new tools and beginning to enact change in your life. New areas of needed growth are addressed as we build on your treatment goals of positive change. You will be using strategies from your treatment plan in your life. We will address any areas of concern and growth that took place during your week.
Please be assured that I will be regularly checking in with you on your symptoms, therapy goals and how you feel therapy is working for you.