The first meeting starts with an assessment session where the goal is to better understand your concerns. Relevant history and background information is gathered in order to assess problem areas and to determine how treatment can be helpful to you.

If the client is a child under the age of 12, typically two meetings are scheduled. During the first assessment session, I prefer to meet alone with parents/guardians. This gives us a chance to talk frankly and honestly about your concerns. The second session is then reserved for your child. My goal during this meeting is to better understand your child and how he/she thinks and feels about different areas of their life. The child is usually engaged in several different structured activities that will provide additional insight into presenting concerns.

After the initial meeting(s), we decide what goals we want to work on and how we want to structure the treatment. It may involve individual therapy, family therapy, parent consultation, or a combination of all of the above. Treatment may be short or long term, depending upon the presenting issue. If you are a parent or guardian of a child, I trust that you know your child best. I will rely on your input and expertise throughout the process; therapy is most effective when parents/guardians are actively involved.