What to Expect In Therapy in Dublin, CA
Going to therapy is an investment in yourself and an investment of your time & resources. Before you schedule your first appointment, there is often a time of “Should I go to therapy?...nah, I’m okay, I can wait…” before you actually take the first step. By the time you make the call, you’re ready to do the work. Maybe you’re considering jumping back into therapy, or maybe you’ve never been and have no idea what it’s like. Here’s what to expect when working with me as a therapist so you can get the most bang for your buck:
Select Your Therapist
Hi! Nice to meet you. Need help figuring out how to find a therapist in Dublin or the greater bay area?
Schedule Your Free 15 minute Consultation
Finding the right therapist is so crucial. Research indicates the relationship between therapist & client accounts for about 30% of the outcome of therapy. This initial 15 minute phone consultation gives you a chance to get a feel if I’m the right fit for you. It also gives me a chance to do a basic assessment of what you’re looking for to make sure I can be an effective guide for you. If I’m not confident I can help you get to where you want to be, I would love to refer you to some local therapists I trust. My goal is to help you find healing, whether that’s with me or someone else.
Initial appointment
We’ll schedule the first appointment as soon as we are able. Typically this will be your new, weekly appointment time so you can get in the routine of carving out this time for you. Before your first appointment, I’ll send you digital consent forms & initial paperwork to complete online so we can maximize our time in person. Once you arrive in my office, you can enjoy water or tea & catch your breath while you wait. I get it - the first session is totally nerve wracking!
During our first appointment I will briefly review the policies you signed online, what to expect in therapy, and any questions you have about me or how I work. Then I’ll shut up and get to know you, your story, and what brings you to therapy at this junction. At the end of session we’ll form goals for our work. I like to ask my clients “If therapy is successful, how will you know? What will be different about your life? How will you know when you’re ready to be done with therapy?”Ongoing Sessions
This is where we roll up our sleeves and get to work. There is no magic wand in therapy, achieving your goals takes some work, and it’s not always sexy work. I’ll walk with you as your guide, offering insight, holding hope, and giving you new tools to use. I like to balance exploring the impact of historic life events with here & now practicality to make the changes you want. Most clients aren’t coming to therapy to talk about the thing that happened 15 years ago, but it may be playing a part in the thing you want to fix now. I will continue to check in on our progress throughout our work - Are we on track? Is this helpful? Are you feeling heard? We seem to have met this goal, is there something else you want to work on?
Graduate & Celebrate!
As a therapist & guide, my job is to work myself out of a job. Once we accomplish your goals, it’s time to celebrate! Sometimes you may have new goals that you want to explore. Sometimes it’s the right time to graduate from therapy, enjoy the fruits of your hard work, and practice your new tools. Success!
Ready to take the plunge and invest in yourself? Reach out, let’s get started. Cultivate Therapy Group offers therapy in Dublin, CA, serving Pleasanton, San Ramon, Danville, Livermore and the greater east bay area counseling needs.