During an initial counseling session you will have an opportunity to get to know more about me as a counselor and more about the counseling process. You will be able to ask any questions you have about me as a counselor or about the counseling process. You will also have time to tell me about your story and about what is bringing you to counseling as well as what you benefits you'd like from counseling. We will explore both your expectations and the things you want to gain from counseling and set some initial counseling goals.

The first session is an initial opportunity for you to get to know me as a therapist and determine whether you think you want to continue counseling with me. The fit with the counselor is an important piece of the counseling process. It will be important for you to feel as though you can trust your counselor and be honest, open and vulnerable with them in order for you to derive significant benefits from counseling. I can answer questions you have and we can begin to explore the problems, situations and feelings bringing you to counseling. If you do not want to continue counseling with me but desire to have counseling, I can offer you referrals to other counselors in the area.