Welcome to our office. The decision to reach out for help is often difficult and I look forward to helping you with the problems you would like to explore and resolve. My view of psychotherapy is that you are hiring me to consult with you regarding problems or relationship issues that significantly affect your life.  My overall approach is to develop a dynamic collaboration between client and therapist where we actively work together to gain insight into the various contributions to your problem and translate this understanding into more beneficial ways of thinking, feeling and interacting in your world.

In our first session, after listening and asking a variety of questions, I will give you an initial assessment that attempts to capture your problem, offer some useful perspective on the factors that may be contributing to the problem, and suggest important steps that will likely be necessary in resolving these problems and helping you achieve your goals. I encourage you to ask me any questions that you have about the therapy process or my background (see Choosing a Therapist or About Dr. Judith Anderson link).

By the end of our initial meeting, I will share my impressions of how we may provide help or I’ll refer you to other providers or resources in the area that may better meet your needs. If we decide to work together, a clear outline of the goals you would like to accomplish will be defined. With these mutually agreed goals in mind, a treatment plan will be developed for you using the latest psychological information available.

If you are coming for Couples Therapy, your first appointment will be for both partners and will last for approximately one hour and 15 minutes. After the first joint session, a comprehensive Couples Questionnaire is given to each of you to complete, prior to the next session, which is an individual meeting with each partner. Those three meetings will allow me to give you a comprehensive initial evaluation of your relationship and a treatment plan for marital therapy (see Couples Therapy link).

If you are coming for Family Therapy, your first appointment will most likely include all family members living in the household and will last from about one hour and 15 minutes to one hour and a half. There are some situations where it might be more useful to meet first with the parents and child separately, including siblings at a later date. I will be happy to discuss these options with you over the phone prior to the first meeting (see Family therapy link).

• You should feel comfortable and understood

• I will give you an assessment and direct feedback about your problem and how I see you or your relationship as stuck at this point

• We will discuss your goals and make sure that we are both clear about them

• We will review various treatment options

• I will clarify all fees and payment options

There are some policies and procedures that I may not fully review with you initially because I am most interested in understanding you and your concerns. Please read over and fill out the following forms prior to coming to your first appointment:

• Therapy Policies and Procedures Agreement

• HIPPA Privacy Notification Forms

• HIPPA Receipt

• New Client Information Form

• How to Get the Most from Your Couples Therapy

You may download these documents by clicking on the link above. Should you decide to fill them out at the office, please arrive 20 minutes in advance of your appointment time. Please fill out all client information, read the details of each policy and bring it into the office. You may wait until we meet in person to sign the forms so that we can discuss any questions or concerns you may have.