Whether it’s your first time in therapy or you’re more seasoned, it helps to know what to expect and how your therapist will guide you from where you are now to where you want to be.
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Therapy is more than creating a safe space and listening. It's also structured, tailored to fit you, and goal-oriented.
Assessment
Getting to know you!
Check this out, Cindy (I needed a name to plug in, so just roll with it, lol): you didn’t become who you are in just a day. Your family background, relationships, career, and even your day to day habits all shape who you are. This goes for my couples as well.
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The formal assessment stage typically lasts one to three sessions. During this time, we will get a clear picture of your world, what is going well, and what might be contributing to the challenges you are experiencing.
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This stage includes research based mental health assessments and a thorough questionnaire designed not only to help me understand you but also to help you understand yourself better.
Creation of Goals
Where are we going?
Think about it this way: when we want to go somewhere we’ve never been, we put the address into a navigation system and hit the go button. That’s exactly what this stage is! Knowing what you want to work on helps us create a clear path to get you there.
Based on what we learn in the assessment stage, we begin to explore your personal goals and decide which one to focus on first. These goals are considered SMART goals:
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- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Relevant
- Time-Specific
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SMART goals turns vague intentions into concrete plans, making it easier to stay motivated, track progress, and achieve results.
Action Time
Getting to work!
Now that we’ve taken the time to learn more about you and create your goals, it’s time to put the plan into action! This phase can feel challenging because it involves learning new skills, practicing them, and facing parts of yourself that may resist change.
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Here’s the good news: you’re no longer tackling these challenges alone. My role as your therapist is to guide you, celebrate your progress, and help you stay on track. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but you’ll begin to see how pieces of your world are coming together and how your growth is shaping your life.
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Let’s get started on creating the life you truly desire!