WEBVTT 00:00:00.634 --> 00:00:01.303 Hey everyone. 00:00:01.303 --> 00:00:06.460 Today I'm gonna talk with you about what to expect at your first therapy appointment. 00:00:06.460 --> 00:00:14.380 (Intro Music) 00:00:14.380 --> 00:00:17.053 So like I said, today I'm gonna talk with you about what to expect 00:00:17.053 --> 00:00:18.351 at your first therapy appointment. 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. 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." 00:00:28.965 --> 00:00:32.715 So for those of you out there who I have probably commented and said 00:00:32.715 --> 00:00:35.829 "My best advice is for you to reach out to a therapist in your area." 00:00:35.829 --> 00:00:39.949 And you think ehhhhh, I can't. I'm so scared. 00:00:39.949 --> 00:00:41.940 I don't know what they're like. What is it gonna be like? 00:00:41.940 --> 00:00:42.994 And there are all these questions. 00:00:42.994 --> 00:00:45.104 Which makes sense. 00:00:45.104 --> 00:00:48.733 It's very scary. It can be very overwhelming. We don't know what to expect. 00:00:48.733 --> 00:00:52.733 So I have my notes. I'm going to tell you what to expect. 00:00:52.733 --> 00:00:57.433 Obviously every therapist is a little bit different, however these are things 00:00:57.433 --> 00:00:59.662 you can expect when making an appointment. 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. 00:01:05.250 --> 00:01:09.370 Because we're usually seeing clients. We don't pick up our phone all the time. 00:01:09.370 --> 00:01:10.640 So we'll get back to you. 00:01:10.640 --> 00:01:14.280 Which for those of you who get scared to make phone to phone contact immediately, 00:01:14.280 --> 00:01:17.224 know that that's not very likely to happen. 00:01:17.224 --> 00:01:18.739 So you leave us a message. 00:01:18.739 --> 00:01:19.837 You make an appointment. 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. 00:01:23.607 --> 00:01:28.482 Things like your name, your address, your insurance if they accept it, 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. 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. 00:01:39.125 --> 00:01:41.845 That's what we do. You get a 50 minute hour. 00:01:41.845 --> 00:01:43.471 I know a lot of people don't know that. 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 00:01:46.400 --> 00:01:50.607 window of maybe we'll run over, maybe I should probably take some notes about 00:01:50.607 --> 00:01:52.577 this, and then the next client comes in. 00:01:52.594 --> 00:01:54.707 So it's 50 minutes for a session. 00:01:54.707 --> 00:01:58.036 And we usually ask you what brought you in today? 00:01:58.036 --> 00:01:59.304 What are some things that you're struggling with? 00:01:59.304 --> 00:02:01.133 Have you been in therapy before? 00:02:01.133 --> 00:02:04.708 Tell me about your work or your school or your family or all of those things, 00:02:04.708 --> 00:02:06.756 depending on how much you're willing to talk. 00:02:06.756 --> 00:02:10.134 We'll keep asking questions, kind of just getting to know you. 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. 00:02:14.843 --> 00:02:16.340 Others don't. 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. 00:02:21.293 --> 00:02:25.513 And I always tell people I can always share with you what I'm writing. 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. 00:02:28.979 --> 00:02:32.152 But it doesn't matter. You can ask. That's okay. 00:02:32.152 --> 00:02:36.807 Then we're like 'Bye bye. Would you like to make an appointment for next week?' 00:02:36.807 --> 00:02:38.583 Because we usually see you weekly. 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. 00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:45.779 Maybe that sounds crazy. But it's just like anything. 00:02:45.779 --> 00:02:48.389 If you get a coffee, you're not like, 'Hey I'll catch you next month.' 00:02:48.389 --> 00:02:49.952 You pay when you leave. 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. 00:02:55.074 --> 00:02:57.492 So make sure that you know how they accept payment. 00:02:57.492 --> 00:03:01.369 Ask them before your make your appointment, so you're prepared for that as well. 00:03:01.369 --> 00:03:03.029 And if you need to ask for a sliding scale, 00:03:03.029 --> 00:03:04.837 do that before you come into session too 00:03:04.837 --> 00:03:06.305 so that we're prepared. 00:03:06.305 --> 00:03:08.894 And I think that's it. 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. 00:03:13.134 --> 00:03:15.478 And it says, "It's never as scary as you think." 00:03:15.478 --> 00:03:17.593 And that is the truth. 00:03:17.593 --> 00:03:19.402 Because therapists are people too. 00:03:19.402 --> 00:03:23.138 You may not necessarily like them, love them, wanna see them every week. 00:03:23.138 --> 00:03:26.152 You may wanna try another one out, but they're usually friendly. 00:03:26.152 --> 00:03:30.620 They're there to help, so if you're considering it please call this week. 00:03:30.620 --> 00:03:35.387 That's my challenge. Challenge! Call. See. Leave a message. 00:03:35.387 --> 00:03:37.746 They'll get back to you. Make an appointment. 00:03:37.746 --> 00:03:43.124 Because I promise we're friendly. We're nice, and we're here to help you. 00:03:43.124 --> 00:03:46.934 And know that you have the right to see somebody else and not see them again. 00:03:46.934 --> 00:03:50.679 And you're not obligated in any way to make another appointment. 00:03:50.679 --> 00:03:54.460 You're basically interviewing them at the same time that they're interviewing you, 00:03:54.460 --> 00:03:55.575 to know more about you. 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. 00:03:59.959 --> 00:04:01.114 And how important that is. 00:04:01.114 --> 00:04:06.192 Because statistically we know it doesn't matter how invested you are in therapy 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. 00:04:13.104 --> 00:04:14.432 So make sure you have that. 00:04:14.432 --> 00:04:17.194 Make sure you like them. And make sure you feel that 'click'. 00:04:17.194 --> 00:04:20.882 I hope you liked it. I know this video is like you know, kind of simple. 00:04:20.882 --> 00:04:23.372 But some of us get scared, and we don't know what to expect. 00:04:23.372 --> 00:04:26.202 And so if any of you have made appointments, you've seen therapists, 00:04:26.202 --> 00:04:28.194 you're seeing a therapist, let us know below. 00:04:28.194 --> 00:04:29.787 Because it's not just me saying it then. 00:04:29.787 --> 00:04:32.588 It's our community sharing our information. 00:04:32.588 --> 00:04:36.784 And if you like these simple what to expect videos, give it a thumbs up! 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. 00:04:40.562 --> 00:04:44.912 And see you next time.