The Counseling Process
Step 1: Assessment. During this stage, we will work together to develop a therapeutic relationship based on trust and support. Our goal is to get a good sense of what your stressors and needs are. This stage typically takes one to three sessions.
Step 2: Goal Planning. In this phase, we will develop goals and specific interventions to help resolve your identified concerns. We will decide on the treatment modality that best meets your needs. The process of setting goals can continue throughout the counseling process as your needs change.
Step 3: Intervention. During the Intervention Phase, you will learn evidence-based skills to support you in meeting your goals. We often start with self-care skills. If you're feeling unsafe or if your needs are not being met, it's difficult to progress in the healing process. Often, the first step is to change the lens through which you see the world by shifting from negative thinking patterns to focusing on what’s really in front of you. We do this by using your cognition to make decisions, rather than allowing emotions to control us. We will identify and utilize outside supports to aid you in the process of healing. We will be encouraging you to use the interventions learned during counseling between sessions, and to share with us what has worked and what has not.
Step 4: Re-assessment/Discharge. During this phase of treatment, we reevaluate our goals to see if they have been met, review the skills learned, and fine tune the areas that need more attention. We may identify outside supports that are needed to continue your journey. This is the time to meet less frequently to ensure that you are ready for discharge.
What Do Sessions Look Like?
Sessions last for 50 to 55 minutes. Typically, the first 15 minutes are spent checking in on your week: use of interventions, new stressors, successes, etc. The next 30 minutes are spent learning and practicing new skills, role playing how to address stressors, and planning to meet your identified challenges. During the last 10 minutes, we will collaborate on a goal to work on between sessions and set up our next session.