What Happens in a First Therapy Session? ☝️ 

Thank you so much for your comment! Best of luck in getting started with therapy -- it's a big step. :) Crying in therapy is not only okay, it's highly encouraged! Lots of clients cry in the first session and therapists see that as a good thing. It means you're starting to let your emotions out versus keeping them locked in. A good therapist will help you feel comfortable crying in front of them as much as you need to. :) Therapists are so used to seeing people cry that it really doesn't overwhelm us, so don't worry about that. Best of luck to you!

@@yourspaceforgrowth thank you so much 🥹❤️

@@goldens4213you’re welcome!

Hi Christopher, I am sorry to hear that in your experiences with therapists in the past you didn’t get what you were needing and wanting: more tangible tools to actually change your thoughts and behaviors. I totally get what you mean about wanting more than just a place to vent. In my practice, it’s really important to me that my clients feel comfortable giving me feedback on what they want and need more of (or less of!) in our work together. It’s a collaborative effort. And having shared goals, accountability and a way to measure progress are also super important, so the client can move in a positive direction.

My pleasure!

Thank you! Let me know if you have any questions or video requests. :)

Hi Christopher, great question. I don’t specialize in working with clients with personality disorders and so will refer out if they have a previous diagnosis or if I get a sense they have on over the phone. I do a free 15-minute phone consultation with all potential new clients and during that time we’re both getting a sense for if we seem like a good fit for one another. During that time, I’m also paying close attention to the client and asking questions to determine if they would be best served by a specialist for their particular issue or if they are out of my scope. I try to pick up on those things as soon as possible because it can be very frustrating and disheartening for a client to try therapy and then be referred out after committing the time, energy and money to the process.

lalacameron170 Great question! Self-harm and eating disorders are not reportable in the state of California and would be subject to confidentiality. Here are the exceptions: 1) if a minor was engaging in these behaviors, the therapist would use their clinical judgment as to whether to share the information with the parents/guardians or 2) if the person engaging in self-harm was in imminent danger of attempting suicide, then the therapist would first attempt to get the client to agree to voluntary hospitalization and if that didn’t work, then would have the client hospitalized with the aid of the PET.