What to Expect when Starting Therapy

Therapy usually begins with a no-charge, half-hour consultation, either on the phone or in my Portland office. This will give you a chance to tell me a little about what brings you to therapy, as well as to ask me any questions that you may have. I will explain my fees and what therapy involves. Our conversation will help in making the decision whether or not to begin a therapeutic process.

Therapy involves a regular commitment–typically, consistent once a week sessions at an hour that stays the same from week to week. Some clients want to work more frequently at two or more sessions a week. My clients tend to be in therapy for anywhere from several months to several years.

What your therapeutic process looks like depends on both me as therapist and you as client. Essentially, we trust that our conversations will guide us to the places that are hurt, or stuck, or needing our attention in whatever way, and we work together from there. We build a therapeutic relationship that, over time, and with shared effort and often struggle, will have a transformative effect on various aspects of your life. Throughout our work together, we stay attentive to the natural process of your development as an individual.