0:00:00.634,0:00:01.303 Hey everyone. 0:00:01.303,0:00:06.460 Today I'm gonna talk with you about what to expect at your first therapy appointment. 0:00:06.460,0:00:14.380 (Intro Music) 0:00:14.380,0:00:17.053 So like I said, today I'm gonna talk with you about what to expect 0:00:17.053,0:00:18.351 at your first therapy appointment. 0:00:18.351,0:00:24.645 I know I did this video, not exactly the same as this, but kind of and I'm embarrassed by it. 0:00:24.645,0:00:28.965 I'm so awkward. So I thought "I have a great idea. I'm gonna do it again." 0:00:28.965,0:00:32.715 So for those of you out there who I have probably commented and said 0:00:32.715,0:00:35.829 "My best advice is for you to reach out to a therapist in your area." 0:00:35.829,0:00:39.949 And you think ehhhhh, I can't. I'm so scared. 0:00:39.949,0:00:41.940 I don't know what they're like. What is it gonna be like? 0:00:41.940,0:00:42.994 And there are all these questions. 0:00:42.994,0:00:45.104 Which makes sense. 0:00:45.104,0:00:48.733 It's very scary. It can be very overwhelming. We don't know what to expect. 0:00:48.733,0:00:52.733 So I have my notes. I'm going to tell you what to expect. 0:00:52.733,0:00:57.433 Obviously every therapist is a little bit different, however these are things 0:00:57.433,0:00:59.662 you can expect when making an appointment. 0:00:59.662,0:01:05.242 First of all, 9 times out of 10 you'll call us and you leave us a message. 0:01:05.250,0:01:09.370 Because we're usually seeing clients. We don't pick up our phone all the time. 0:01:09.370,0:01:10.640 So we'll get back to you. 0:01:10.640,0:01:14.280 Which for those of you who get scared to make phone to phone contact immediately, 0:01:14.280,0:01:17.224 know that that's not very likely to happen. 0:01:17.224,0:01:18.739 So you leave us a message. 0:01:18.739,0:01:19.837 You make an appointment. 0:01:19.837,0:01:23.607 And we tell you usually to come about 10 minutes early, because there's paperwork to fill out. 0:01:23.607,0:01:28.482 Things like your name, your address, your insurance if they accept it, 0:01:28.482,0:01:33.955 what are you coming in for, are you on any medications, when did you last see your doctor. 0:01:33.955,0:01:39.125 Just like the basic stuff honestly that you get at any kind of doctors office, appointment, any of that. 0:01:39.125,0:01:41.845 That's what we do. You get a 50 minute hour. 0:01:41.845,0:01:43.471 I know a lot of people don't know that. 0:01:43.471,0:01:46.400 That in order for us to see our clients we have to give ourselves like a 10 minute 0:01:46.400,0:01:50.607 window of maybe we'll run over, maybe I should probably take some notes about 0:01:50.607,0:01:52.577 this, and then the next client comes in. 0:01:52.594,0:01:54.707 So it's 50 minutes for a session. 0:01:54.707,0:01:58.036 And we usually ask you what brought you in today? 0:01:58.036,0:01:59.304 What are some things that you're struggling with? 0:01:59.304,0:02:01.133 Have you been in therapy before? 0:02:01.133,0:02:04.708 Tell me about your work or your school or your family or all of those things, 0:02:04.708,0:02:06.756 depending on how much you're willing to talk. 0:02:06.756,0:02:10.134 We'll keep asking questions, kind of just getting to know you. 0:02:10.134,0:02:14.843 And some therapists take notes on a pad of paper that kind of looks like this, while they're talking to you. 0:02:14.843,0:02:16.340 Others don't. 0:02:16.340,0:02:21.293 I don't really take notes. Although I'll have a pad of paper on my lap in case something comes up. 0:02:21.293,0:02:25.513 And I always tell people I can always share with you what I'm writing. 0:02:25.513,0:02:28.979 But nobody ever really asks that, 'cause I don't think people really want to know what you're writing. 0:02:28.979,0:02:32.152 But it doesn't matter. You can ask. That's okay. 0:02:32.152,0:02:36.807 Then we're like 'Bye bye. Would you like to make an appointment for next week?' 0:02:36.807,0:02:38.583 Because we usually see you weekly. 0:02:38.583,0:02:43.599 So that's something to expect as well. And you have to pay when you're there. 0:02:43.599,0:02:45.779 Maybe that sounds crazy. But it's just like anything. 0:02:45.779,0:02:48.389 If you get a coffee, you're not like, 'Hey I'll catch you next month.' 0:02:48.389,0:02:49.952 You pay when you leave. 0:02:49.952,0:02:55.074 And so that'll either be your co-pay if they take insurance, it'll be through square, a check, cash. 0:02:55.074,0:02:57.492 So make sure that you know how they accept payment. 0:02:57.492,0:03:01.369 Ask them before your make your appointment, so you're prepared for that as well. 0:03:01.369,0:03:03.029 And if you need to ask for a sliding scale, 0:03:03.029,0:03:04.837 do that before you come into session too 0:03:04.837,0:03:06.305 so that we're prepared. 0:03:06.305,0:03:08.894 And I think that's it. 0:03:08.894,0:03:13.134 And I have a note all in bold, so I don't forget, and I highlight it, because I love highlighters. 0:03:13.134,0:03:15.478 And it says, "It's never as scary as you think." 0:03:15.478,0:03:17.593 And that is the truth. 0:03:17.593,0:03:19.402 Because therapists are people too. 0:03:19.402,0:03:23.138 You may not necessarily like them, love them, wanna see them every week. 0:03:23.138,0:03:26.152 You may wanna try another one out, but they're usually friendly. 0:03:26.152,0:03:30.620 They're there to help, so if you're considering it please call this week. 0:03:30.620,0:03:35.387 That's my challenge. Challenge! Call. See. Leave a message. 0:03:35.387,0:03:37.746 They'll get back to you. Make an appointment. 0:03:37.746,0:03:43.124 Because I promise we're friendly. We're nice, and we're here to help you. 0:03:43.124,0:03:46.934 And know that you have the right to see somebody else and not see them again. 0:03:46.934,0:03:50.679 And you're not obligated in any way to make another appointment. 0:03:50.679,0:03:54.460 You're basically interviewing them at the same time that they're interviewing you, 0:03:54.460,0:03:55.575 to know more about you. 0:03:55.575,0:03:59.959 You wanna make sure that you have that click with them, that I've talked about in previous videos. 0:03:59.959,0:04:01.114 And how important that is. 0:04:01.114,0:04:06.192 Because statistically we know it doesn't matter how invested you are in therapy 0:04:06.192,0:04:13.104 or how good your therapist is, it's actually the relationship that is the best indicator of how well you'll do. 0:04:13.104,0:04:14.432 So make sure you have that. 0:04:14.432,0:04:17.194 Make sure you like them. And make sure you feel that 'click'. 0:04:17.194,0:04:20.882 I hope you liked it. I know this video is like you know, kind of simple. 0:04:20.882,0:04:23.372 But some of us get scared, and we don't know what to expect. 0:04:23.372,0:04:26.202 And so if any of you have made appointments, you've seen therapists, 0:04:26.202,0:04:28.194 you're seeing a therapist, let us know below. 0:04:28.194,0:04:29.787 Because it's not just me saying it then. 0:04:29.787,0:04:32.588 It's our community sharing our information. 0:04:32.588,0:04:36.784 And if you like these simple what to expect videos, give it a thumbs up! 0:04:36.784,0:04:40.562 And you can find me on the inter webs. Wherever you're at I am there too. 0:04:40.562,0:04:44.912 And see you next time.