Some of my clients use a shorter number of counseling sessions to get support with isolated issues, while others focus on more disruptive and ongoing issues that call for longer-term therapy. Both ways of working are appropriate depending on the situation, although the keys to any successful therapy are:
- active participation
- honesty
- a willingness to change
Self-determination is at the heart of good therapy, and that means that you decide when you are ready to work and when you stop, and it also means that you set the pace and say no when you are not ready to work on certain things. We talk about transitions, but you are ultimately in charge.
Making the decision to start counseling is significant, and it is perfectly normal to be nervous about the first meeting. One of the signs of a great therapeutic relationship is that you feel that initial “click” during the first few sessions with your therapist, and from that positive beginning you form a trusting and emotionally safe relationship.
Part of the goal of our first meeting is to get to know each other to see if we will make a good team. You are in charge of deciding if our partnership is what you are looking for, and we will talk openly about how you feel about the process. During that first session I will ask you a lot of questions and I will do a lot of listening. The intent of the first meeting is to identify why you are seeking counseling and to learn some of the background story of your life. The first few sessions are significant because I am learning about your history and I am learning what motivates you and what you value.
At the end of our first session, we will talk about how you feel and if you want to schedule more appointments. Assuming all goes well, we will set goals for our next meeting and talk about how frequently we need to meet.
There are times when we all need “big” help, and there are also times when we just need a little extra support to get through a rough time. Talking to a therapist before you are in crisis can be the thing that gets you through the rough time so that you do not find yourself dealing with an even bigger problem later on. You will know when you need to start a counseling relationship and the key is that you trust your intuition and follow through. Don’t judge your need for counseling by the size of your concern.
Confidentiality is the cornerstone of the counseling relationship, and it is essential in creating a safe place to work through personal issues. What we talk about in a session is completely confidential and will not be disclosed without your written permission, except in cases of possible harm to yourself or others, or a court subpoena. In any of those cases, I am legally and/or ethically bound to disclose information.
I do not take insurance and I am an out of network provider. At the end of every month I will email you a standard itemized summary of services and payments (a superbill) that you can submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement. The amount of reimbursement you receive depends on your insurance plan and coverage.
In order to schedule a first appointment please call me at 206.595.4435 or email me at: virginia@virginiaknox.com
All voicemails are completely confidential, and I will try to get back to you within 24 hours.
If you have any questions, just ask. I am here to help. I sincerely look forward to hearing from you.
Once you start therapy, you will have a regular day and time for your appointments. If you need to change or cancel an appointment, you can text, call, or send me a quick email.
If you do need to cancel your appointment, please do so at least 48 hours in advance of your scheduled session time. I know that life is complicated and I am very understanding about schedule changes, but if cancellations or no-shows become a pattern you will be charged for the appointments missed.
