What to Expect in the Phone Consult
Contact me for a 15 minute consult. During this phone conversation, we will talk briefly about what you are seeking help with. I do not need a lot of information or history at this time. I am interested in hearing a brief description of what you are wanting help with.
I’ll answer any questions you have and let you know how I might help you. We will discuss logistics of payment and meeting times and then, if we decide we are a good fit for each other, we will schedule our first appointment.
What to Expect When We Meet
Our first two appointments will focus on your current concerns and some background information. I understand it might take a little bit of time to feel comfortable sharing some information. That’s ok and expected. These meetings will not be a list of intense, burning questions. I will follow your lead on the information you would like to share and I can provide some guidance through conversation about why you are seeking therapy. In general, I will want to know more about the concern you are wanting help with. I may ask questions such as:
- How long have you been struggling with this concern?
- What are different ways you may have tried to respond differently?
- What kind of impact is it having in your life?
- What experiences may have contributed to how you are feeling now?
Most people feel some relief during or after the first meeting. Even if you don’t get too deep, you might find merely talking about the feelings and topics you haven’t discussed openly before leads to powerful responses. People don’t often realize how much effort it has taken to hold the information by themselves. And feel that they’ve unloaded some mental or emotional weight by being able to talk to someone else who will keep the information confidential.
After you have filled me in on the some contributing factors and current experience, during these first two meetings, we will begin to make observations about patterns or themes you bring up. This will help us discuss different ways to respond to your concern and try new behaviors. I will use different theoretical approaches to help us collaborate together on helping you get what you want. I will also be providing you with questionnaires to help us track progress on your goals as well as our working relationship.
While you do not need to bring anything or prepare for these first two meetings, some people feel better if they have something tangible with them. If this applies to you, you could begin making a list of what you would like me to know during our first meeting.
What to Expect in Our Continued Meetings
Though you might feel a bit relieved after the first meeting, it is not a quick fix to the problem. I typically meet with people on a weekly basis. I find that this gives us more traction in addressing your concerns. It also provides better support to you while you are trying out some changes in your life. Change happens in slow increments. Being able to asses efforts towards those changes and adjust as needed is best done on a weekly basis.
Why Work With Me?
I am a good listener and have great empathy for people, their unique history and their problems and pain. As your therapist, I will be understanding of your life experience and what has brought you to seek therapy. It is important that you feel safe, respected and understood. I will help you feel comfortable to talk about your concerns in order to find a way through them. I will help you achieve your goals.
With 20 of counseling experience, I am skilled in listening and understanding even the most troublesome problems. I am empathetic and will respect your feelings and what you want. I will provide clear guidance on ways to resolve your concerns and work collaboratively with you to achieve your goals. Our relationship will give you the support you need to overcome your struggles.
Contact me to get started
Let’s work together. Contact me now in my Alexandria, Virginia office.
Need more information? Here are some testimonials from clients:
“You provided various options for addressing the problems. You gave additional resources to turn to when needed. I found this all very helpful and the feedback after trying those things was helpful!”
“You were very helpful and a great sounding board. I really appreciate your insights and helping me to make sense of a very difficult time.”
“We began couples counseling with Treona in September 2013. She helped us learn about each other and ourselves. She gave us tools to communicate better and ultimately make our marriage stronger. She tailored the counseling to meet our different needs and remained open to directions we wanted to take. We’re both very happy that we took this step and have been more than pleased with Treona’s guidance through this process.”
Ready to talk?
Let’s talk by phone and start the process.
Not ready to start yet?
That’s ok, I’m an information gatherer too. Click here to learn more about individual therapy.