1 00:00:00,634 --> 00:00:01,303 Hey everyone. 2 00:00:01,303 --> 00:00:06,460 Today I'm gonna talk with you about what to expect at your first therapy appointment. 3 00:00:06,460 --> 00:00:14,380 (Intro Music) 4 00:00:14,380 --> 00:00:17,053 So like I said, today I'm gonna talk with you about what to expect 5 00:00:17,053 --> 00:00:18,351 at your first therapy appointment. 6 00:00:18,351 --> 00:00:24,645 I know I did this video, not exactly the same as this, but kind of and I'm embarrassed by it. 7 00:00:24,645 --> 00:00:28,965 I'm so awkward. So I thought "I have a great idea. I'm gonna do it again." 8 00:00:28,965 --> 00:00:32,715 So for those of you out there who I have probably commented and said 9 00:00:32,715 --> 00:00:35,829 "My best advice is for you to reach out to a therapist in your area." 10 00:00:35,829 --> 00:00:39,949 And you think ehhhhh, I can't. I'm so scared. 11 00:00:39,949 --> 00:00:41,940 I don't know what they're like. What is it gonna be like? 12 00:00:41,940 --> 00:00:42,994 And there are all these questions. 13 00:00:42,994 --> 00:00:45,104 Which makes sense. 14 00:00:45,104 --> 00:00:48,733 It's very scary. It can be very overwhelming. We don't know what to expect. 15 00:00:48,733 --> 00:00:52,733 So I have my notes. I'm going to tell you what to expect. 16 00:00:52,733 --> 00:00:57,433 Obviously every therapist is a little bit different, however these are things 17 00:00:57,433 --> 00:00:59,662 you can expect when making an appointment. 18 00:00:59,662 --> 00:01:05,242 First of all, 9 times out of 10 you'll call us and you leave us a message. 19 00:01:05,250 --> 00:01:09,370 Because we're usually seeing clients. We don't pick up our phone all the time. 20 00:01:09,370 --> 00:01:10,640 So we'll get back to you. 21 00:01:10,640 --> 00:01:14,280 Which for those of you who get scared to make phone to phone contact immediately, 22 00:01:14,280 --> 00:01:17,224 know that that's not very likely to happen. 23 00:01:17,224 --> 00:01:18,739 So you leave us a message. 24 00:01:18,739 --> 00:01:19,837 You make an appointment. 25 00:01:19,837 --> 00:01:23,607 And we tell you usually to come about 10 minutes early, because there's paperwork to fill out. 26 00:01:23,607 --> 00:01:28,482 Things like your name, your address, your insurance if they accept it, 27 00:01:28,482 --> 00:01:33,955 what are you coming in for, are you on any medications, when did you last see your doctor. 28 00:01:33,955 --> 00:01:39,125 Just like the basic stuff honestly that you get at any kind of doctors office, appointment, any of that. 29 00:01:39,125 --> 00:01:41,845 That's what we do. You get a 50 minute hour. 30 00:01:41,845 --> 00:01:43,471 I know a lot of people don't know that. 31 00:01:43,471 --> 00:01:46,400 That in order for us to see our clients we have to give ourselves like a 10 minute 32 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:50,607 window of maybe we'll run over, maybe I should probably take some notes about 33 00:01:50,607 --> 00:01:52,577 this, and then the next client comes in. 34 00:01:52,594 --> 00:01:54,707 So it's 50 minutes for a session. 35 00:01:54,707 --> 00:01:58,036 And we usually ask you what brought you in today? 36 00:01:58,036 --> 00:01:59,304 What are some things that you're struggling with? 37 00:01:59,304 --> 00:02:01,133 Have you been in therapy before? 38 00:02:01,133 --> 00:02:04,708 Tell me about your work or your school or your family or all of those things, 39 00:02:04,708 --> 00:02:06,756 depending on how much you're willing to talk. 40 00:02:06,756 --> 00:02:10,134 We'll keep asking questions, kind of just getting to know you. 41 00:02:10,134 --> 00:02:14,843 And some therapists take notes on a pad of paper that kind of looks like this, while they're talking to you. 42 00:02:14,843 --> 00:02:16,340 Others don't. 43 00:02:16,340 --> 00:02:21,293 I don't really take notes. Although I'll have a pad of paper on my lap in case something comes up. 44 00:02:21,293 --> 00:02:25,513 And I always tell people I can always share with you what I'm writing. 45 00:02:25,513 --> 00:02:28,979 But nobody ever really asks that, 'cause I don't think people really want to know what you're writing. 46 00:02:28,979 --> 00:02:32,152 But it doesn't matter. You can ask. That's okay. 47 00:02:32,152 --> 00:02:36,807 Then we're like 'Bye bye. Would you like to make an appointment for next week?' 48 00:02:36,807 --> 00:02:38,583 Because we usually see you weekly. 49 00:02:38,583 --> 00:02:43,599 So that's something to expect as well. And you have to pay when you're there. 50 00:02:43,599 --> 00:02:45,779 Maybe that sounds crazy. But it's just like anything. 51 00:02:45,779 --> 00:02:48,389 If you get a coffee, you're not like, 'Hey I'll catch you next month.' 52 00:02:48,389 --> 00:02:49,952 You pay when you leave. 53 00:02:49,952 --> 00:02:55,074 And so that'll either be your co-pay if they take insurance, it'll be through square, a check, cash. 54 00:02:55,074 --> 00:02:57,492 So make sure that you know how they accept payment. 55 00:02:57,492 --> 00:03:01,369 Ask them before your make your appointment, so you're prepared for that as well. 56 00:03:01,369 --> 00:03:03,029 And if you need to ask for a sliding scale, 57 00:03:03,029 --> 00:03:04,837 do that before you come into session too 58 00:03:04,837 --> 00:03:06,305 so that we're prepared. 59 00:03:06,305 --> 00:03:08,894 And I think that's it. 60 00:03:08,894 --> 00:03:13,134 And I have a note all in bold, so I don't forget, and I highlight it, because I love highlighters. 61 00:03:13,134 --> 00:03:15,478 And it says, "It's never as scary as you think." 62 00:03:15,478 --> 00:03:17,593 And that is the truth. 63 00:03:17,593 --> 00:03:19,402 Because therapists are people too. 64 00:03:19,402 --> 00:03:23,138 You may not necessarily like them, love them, wanna see them every week. 65 00:03:23,138 --> 00:03:26,152 You may wanna try another one out, but they're usually friendly. 66 00:03:26,152 --> 00:03:30,620 They're there to help, so if you're considering it please call this week. 67 00:03:30,620 --> 00:03:35,387 That's my challenge. Challenge! Call. See. Leave a message. 68 00:03:35,387 --> 00:03:37,746 They'll get back to you. Make an appointment. 69 00:03:37,746 --> 00:03:43,124 Because I promise we're friendly. We're nice, and we're here to help you. 70 00:03:43,124 --> 00:03:46,934 And know that you have the right to see somebody else and not see them again. 71 00:03:46,934 --> 00:03:50,679 And you're not obligated in any way to make another appointment. 72 00:03:50,679 --> 00:03:54,460 You're basically interviewing them at the same time that they're interviewing you, 73 00:03:54,460 --> 00:03:55,575 to know more about you. 74 00:03:55,575 --> 00:03:59,959 You wanna make sure that you have that click with them, that I've talked about in previous videos. 75 00:03:59,959 --> 00:04:01,114 And how important that is. 76 00:04:01,114 --> 00:04:06,192 Because statistically we know it doesn't matter how invested you are in therapy 77 00:04:06,192 --> 00:04:13,104 or how good your therapist is, it's actually the relationship that is the best indicator of how well you'll do. 78 00:04:13,104 --> 00:04:14,432 So make sure you have that. 79 00:04:14,432 --> 00:04:17,194 Make sure you like them. And make sure you feel that 'click'. 80 00:04:17,194 --> 00:04:20,882 I hope you liked it. I know this video is like you know, kind of simple. 81 00:04:20,882 --> 00:04:23,372 But some of us get scared, and we don't know what to expect. 82 00:04:23,372 --> 00:04:26,202 And so if any of you have made appointments, you've seen therapists, 83 00:04:26,202 --> 00:04:28,194 you're seeing a therapist, let us know below. 84 00:04:28,194 --> 00:04:29,787 Because it's not just me saying it then. 85 00:04:29,787 --> 00:04:32,588 It's our community sharing our information. 86 00:04:32,588 --> 00:04:36,784 And if you like these simple what to expect videos, give it a thumbs up! 87 00:04:36,784 --> 00:04:40,562 And you can find me on the inter webs. Wherever you're at I am there too. 88 00:04:40,562 --> 00:04:44,912 And see you next time.