Align Psychotherapy
What To Expect
It's good to be prepared. To know what to expect so that you can relax and make the most of the time.
The Consultation Call
We always begin with a call. It's 20-30 minutes and free. We get to understand a little better how we might help, answer your questions, and you can get a better sense of what meeting with us will be like. The most important factor in creating successful outcomes is the "therapeutic alliance." This is where we begin to see if it's a good fit. If we think we aren't the right person for you we'll let you know and offer suggestions for where to turn next.
The First Two Meetings
The first two meetings are getting to know you and the "problem(s)" you are wanting help with. Typically we'll begin with creating what is known as an "experience near definition" of the problem. That means we will really drill down into what's going on. If you aren't sure how you might describe it, don't worry, we know what questions to ask. Once we understand the problem patterns we want to change we'll spend a meeting hearing your story. So we understand a little better the context of the problem patterns.
It's not uncommon for new clients to feel a major shift in their experience even during the first two meetings.
Ongoing Therapy
Once the first two meetings are done we will talk with you about the different ways we can work together and how they might be beneficial. Some clients don't want a lot of structure. They just need someone to help them sort things out with. Others want lots of structure and recognize it's value. We might decide together that once or twice a week is ideal, or we might meet every two or three weeks. It depends on you.
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What Type of Therapy?
This isn't a question that get's asked much but for some it's very important so we include it here. Our therapeutic orientation might be considered "client-centered." This means we work in close collaboration with you. But we won't just sit and listen. We think it's our job to support AND challenge you if we think it might be helpful. Our belief is that our clients trust us with very privileged information so it is our responsibility to occasionally challenge as well as support.
Beyond being client-centered we have developed our own brand of therapy for more difficult problems like depression, bipolar disorder, or trauma. It's called Process-Alignment Therapy. You can read more about it HERE.
You Should Also Expect
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A CALLBACK, TEXT, OR EMAIL BY THE END OF THE NEXT DAY. This isn't just for first contact, but for the entirety of our work together.
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NO FORMAL DIAGNOSIS. Unless you want one, or your insurance demands it. We believe labels like diagnoses can be helpful, but they can also be limiting. Especially in psychotherapy or counseling.
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NO MEDICATION. Medication is the work of psychiatrists. If you want we will help you find a good one. We know a few. We can also help you reduce or eliminate your need for medication entirely.
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EXPLANATION. Everything we do, and teach, in session is guided by clear reasoning and our understanding of the neuroscience. We are always happy to explain why we believe something might work, or why it might not.