What to Expect
Prior to your first session, you will receive an email invitation to sign up for our client portal where you will complete all forms electronically. You can also download these forms if you prefer to complete them manually. Arrangements can be made with our administrative staff for forms to be completed at our office.
- For telehealth appointments you will receive your link the day of your session within the client portal messaging system.
- For in person appointments please arrive on time and enjoy a piece of candy while you wait in our client lobby.
Your First Session
During your initial session, you and your provider will discuss what brings you to therapy and what you hope to achieve as a result of therapeutic services.
Generally, the first 3 – 4 sessions are to assess and establish an agreed upon plan of treatment. When providing couple or family therapy there may be a need to meet individually and/or with groups within the family to finalize this treatment plan. Once a treatment plan is established, services will be implemented on an agreed upon frequency to address the problem(s), typically this is weekly.
The length of treatment can vary greatly, as all services are collaboratively developed to meet the specific needs of each individual, couple or family. What’s most important is that the problem is resolved through a greater understanding of the factors that contributed to the problem in the first place. Treatment ends when clients feel that situations in their life have improved enough that therapeutic services are no longer necessary.
Services for Adults
When providing services to individual adults, the treatment plan process is very streamlined and only involves the client and the provider. When providing services to multiple adults (romantic partners, family members, coworkers, etc) the first session is with all parties involved, with subsequent individual sessions in order to assess a more in-depth perspective from each person’s experience of the problem(s) that bring them in for therapy.
Services for Children or Adolescents
When providing services to children or adolescents, it is our practice to engage only with parents or guardians during the first session. Meeting with the responsible adult(s) first, allows us the opportunity to gain a historical perspective of the problem(s) the child(ren) and family are experiencing.
The second session will be with the child or adolescent and one or both parents/guardians. Once the child or adolescent has reached a level of comfort with the provider, individual sessions with just the child or adolescent can begin.
Throughout the course of therapy with a child or adolescent, parents/guardians will be kept abreast of how therapy is progressing. Additionally, there will be times parents/guardians will be asked to join the therapy process to help facilitate communication and integrate solutions discussed in therapy into their day to day
interactions.
11803 101st Ave Ct E, Suite 100
Puyallup, WA 98373
Phone: (253) 881-1428
Fax: (253) 446-7137