Client Registration Forms
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The following forms will need to be filled out prior to our first session. They can be filled out before you arrive or at your first appointment.
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Frequently Asked QuestionsCounseling feels like a big step. How will I know I am ready?
If you are asking if you are ready for counseling, you probably are. Our scars, ruptures and hurts can wreak havoc in our life, causing us to hurt ourselves and other people. It is a brave and courageous step to start counseling. Why? Because counseling has great benefits but also risks. Together we will look at the parts of your story that you want to hide; that make you feel uncomfortable, angry, or sad; that have taken away your hope; that are robbing you of serenity, restoration and healing. It is hard work, and sometimes things feel worse before they get better. But through looking at these things in relationship, better they will get. Who do you work with? I work with any client I can be of help to, especially those looking to transform scars, ruptures and hurts into serenity, restoration and healing. Many of my clients are from the West County area and come to work on goals related to marriage, relationships, motherhood, depression, anxiety and grief. How long does it take? My belief is that you are too unique and too important for a prescribed formula. Whether with individuals or couples, I work from a person-centered, dignity-based, story-focused and attachment-influenced philosophy that always is aware of the symptoms that bring people in to counseling but is focused on the underlying, root causes that took years to develop. We will meet weekly for at least the first three weeks to identify themes and key events in your story that have caused scars, ruptures and hurts. We will also talk about practical tools for symptom reduction and adding more serenity (peace) in your daily life. Together, we will determine the pace of sessions and a treatment plan based on your evolving goals as you become more and more of the person you were made to be. How long is a session? We will meet together (some people say “be in session”) for 50 minutes each appointment. This can feel puzzling as you are billed for a one-hour (60 minute) session. It is standard in the counseling field that a 60-minute session includes 50 minutes meeting together and a minimum of 10 minutes for the counselor out of session to focus on preparing for and helping you in session. How do I prepare? What will the first appointment be like? The best way to prepare for a first counseling appointment is to relax as best you can and take a few quiet moments to focus on your overall goals for counseling. During the first appointment, we will review intake forms and your personal information. These forms should feel similar to a first visit to an office of any health professional. You can print the forms (LINK TO FORMS) and fill them out ahead of time. Or, if you prefer, you might want to arrive 15 minutes early to fill out the forms before we meet together. We have coffee, tea and water in the waiting room that you may like to enjoy and bring with you to my office. Together, at your pace, we will begin walking together where ever you would like to start. For the next one or two sessions we will begin to identify, at your pace, the themes and key events in your story that have caused scars, ruptures and hurts. In following sessions, you will always have the choice to lead with whatever topic or direction you like, since we will always have your goal in mind and pause to check-in on how the current topic is related to your scars, ruptures and hurts and how it can be used for serenity, restoration and healing. How much is this going to cost? Your healing is my priority, and I long to see you become more of the person you were meant to be. I do not want cost to stand in the way of your healing. I do have a limited number of scholarships available which are available based on need. Please call me for current rate information. My rates are comparable to others in St. Louis area. I accept check or cash, and will provide a receipt if requested. What if I can’t make my scheduled appointment? Please change or cancel any scheduled appointment within 24 hours to avoid full payment. If you do not show up to your scheduled appointment, you will be charged in full. I understand that there are life emergencies that occasionally cause us all to miss appointments, despite the best intentions. We will work together in these cases. Please note: parents with young children and pregnant mothers will always have fees waived for unexpected sickness of children, emergency doctor appointments or early arrivals of baby. My counseling doesn’t seem to be going as fast as other people I know. What is the difference? Each person’s experience in counseling is unique to his or her own story. Continuing our work between sessions will produce the best results. Part of what we will do together is determine your needs and your goals, and brainstorm together ways you would like to take charge of adding more serenity, more restoration and more healing to your life. |