COUNSELING SERVICES   I provide consultations, assessments, individual, couples, family and group therapy as well as empowerment workshops.    What should I expect?   First Session: Is a consultation to assess whether we are a good match.  It is important that you trust your therapist.  We will decide this together whether we are a good fit.   When you arrive, I will greet you and help you feel comfortable. There will be some paperwork to complete.  You will receive a handbook. We will spend 45-50 minutes reviewing your life experiences.  A thorough assessment will be completed.  By the end of the session I will be able to give you an initial impression with recommendations. If it is determined that I can assist you, it will be up to you to decide whether you want to return.  Discuss expectations and answer questions.  HOMEWORK:  Complete Goals for treatment.   Second Session:  I will continue the assessment as necessary.  We will review your homework.  Discuss your questions and continue to get to know one another.  I will be doing things with you to get the momentum going for change.  You are always in charge of change.  Too fast? Let me know?  Too slow? Let me know.  Probably introduction of the TREATMENT PLAN.   Third Session:  We will begin to complete the TREATMENT PLAN together using your GOALS for treatment.  It may take 2 sessions to complete the treatment plan.  Once it is finished we will review it and get it exactly how you would like for it to be.  I will explain the types of treatment modalities and education to meet your goals.   Fourth Session:  We will work together to continue to add to the momentum, expand the education material and treatment process.  For some, they may only need 3-4 sessions before starting the Empowerment Group.  Others may need several months of counseling before group.  You will never be required to attend group.  Keep in mind we may get to a stand still in therapy with just doing individual and family therapy.  So it would not be advisable to continue counseling that is not productive.   TREATMENT PLAN:  The treatment plan is an individualized written plan that is based on your goals and strengths.  Each goal will be made measurable and have reasonable dates to complete these goals by.  You will be given a copy of this upon your request.  Many people put it up on their refrigerator to remind them but this is not necessary.  You will naturally meet your goals, just be following the process.   REVIEW OF TREATMENT PLAN:  Occasionally we will review your individualized treatment plan to see which goals you have met, which goals you are still working on, and which goals you may want to add.    HOMEWORK:   You will be given homework every session, that will consist of things to read, things to do, things to practice, information to process.  Never let homework overwhelm you, it is not meant to do that.  Always know that we can talk about anything   HOW DO I KNOW WHEN I AM FINISHED?  You can finish any time that you like.  It is advisable that you meet all of your goals on your treatment plan unless otherwise contraindicated. Many people meet their goals and decide to continue the process adding new goals.  Others decide to have MAINTENANCE sessions to make sure that they do no regress into old behaviors.  You will know when you are finished.  Other like to take breaks and return at a later date.