Helping relationships grow, change, and heal.
Getting started with Prism.
We know visiting a therapist for the first time can feel intimidating, and we want to make the process as smooth and comfortable for you as possible. Here’s what you can expect before, during, and after your first session:
Before our first session, you will fill out some preliminary paperwork and simple questionnaires that will help us begin the process of working together.
At the start of our first session, we will talk about important aspects of therapy (such as confidentiality) as well as any questions you have with the paperwork or the process.
The first session is focused on getting to know you as a person. We will discuss your personal and relational history in-depth and begin to formulate your treatment plan and goals you might have for the therapeutic process.
By the end of session, we can decide the frequency of your appointments, the type of therapy that will be used, and other session logistics. By the third session, we will have a treatment plan that will be used to guide our work together.
If you are doing couples therapy, the first session will be a joint session to learn more about your relationship. The second set of sessions will be individual to assess for individual needs and factors within the relationship. The third session (and future ones) will be together to process the plan for therapy and to begin addressing relational goals.
Building the therapeutic relationship.
Part of the magic of therapy lies within the relationship between therapist and client. Studies have shown that the strongest indicator of change in therapy is the level of trust and alliance between the therapist and client.
So, what goes into the process of building the therapeutic relationship?
Getting to know YOU. The first phase of therapy is focused on getting to know who you are as a person. This includes your identities, your family of origin, your personal history, and experiences that highlight how you’ve experienced the world.
Genogram (and other assessment tools). A genogram is a tool that I like to call a “family tree on steroids.” Together, we will map out your family and close relationships to get a sense of your relational history. This map will outline close or distant relationships, intergenerational themes (like substance use, divorce, or mental health concerns), and overall patterns within your relational system.
Goal-setting. To work together effectively, we have to know what we are working towards. Early on in therapy, we will identify the goals you would like to achieve and build out a roadmap to get there. Along the way, we will check in and assess the progress you have made.
Collaboration. It is my job to show up for you on-time, consistently, and with warmth and non-judgement. The therapeutic relationship is different from how you interact with your friends: the focus is on you. Confidentiality is also a huge part of our work: what you say in the room, stays in the room (with several important legal exceptions). Additionally, as part of having a strong relationship, client feedback is always welcome.
Compassion + Care. Because we are in a relationship together, ruptures may happen. We will work together on any issues that arise, experiencing repair that can help and support you with relational repairs in other parts of life.