What to Expect

If you've never been to therapy before — or if your previous experience wasn't great — you might be wondering what this is actually going to be like. That's a fair question, and I'd rather you walk in feeling informed than anxious. Here's what the process looks like from start to finish.

Step 1: Before Your First Session

Everything starts with a free 15-minute consultation. This is a short phone or video call where we talk about what's bringing you to therapy, what you're hoping to get out of it, and whether we're a good fit for each other. There's no commitment and no pressure. If I'm not the right therapist for you, I'll point you toward someone who is.

Once you decide to move forward, I'll send you some intake paperwork through my secure client portal (SimplePractice). This includes basic information about you, your history, and informed consent documents. Filling this out ahead of time means we can spend your first session actually talking — not filling out forms.

How to prepare: You don't need to rehearse anything or have your story neatly organized. Just show up as you are. If it helps, jot down a few things you'd like me to know or questions you want to ask. But honestly, the only thing you need to bring is yourself.

Step 2: Your First Session

Your first session (sometimes called an intake) is about getting to know each other. I'll ask about your background, what's been happening in your life, and what made you reach out now. You'll have the chance to ask me anything — about my approach, my experience, or how I work.

I won't push you to dive into deep or painful material right away. The first session is about building a foundation of trust and giving me enough context to start understanding your world. By the end, we'll talk about what I'm noticing, what might be helpful to focus on, and what our work together could look like going forward.

Think of it as a conversation, not an interrogation. You're in the driver's seat.

Step 3: Ongoing Therapy

After the first session, we'll settle into a rhythm. Most clients meet weekly, especially at the beginning when we're building momentum. As things progress and you start feeling more stable, we might shift to biweekly or monthly sessions depending on your needs.

Each session is 50 minutes. What happens in that time depends entirely on where you are that week. Some sessions will feel heavy. Some will feel hopeful. Some will be about processing a specific event; others will be about noticing patterns and shifting how you relate to yourself and others.

I use a range of approaches depending on what's most useful for you. That might include:

• EMDR to process specific traumatic memories
• Expressive arts when words aren't enough
• Somatic (body-based) techniques to help you regulate your nervous system
• Talk therapy to explore thoughts, patterns, and relationships

Progress in therapy isn't always linear. There will be weeks where you feel a breakthrough and weeks where you feel stuck. Both are part of the process. I'll check in regularly so you always know where we are and what we're working toward.

Step 4: Practical Details

Here's the nuts-and-bolts information:

• Session length: 50 minutes
• Fee: $150 per session for private pay. With insurance through Headway, you'll typically pay just your copay — see Insurance & Fees.
• Frequency: Weekly is recommended, especially at the start. We'll adjust as you progress.
• Format: In-person at my Winter Garden office or virtual (telehealth) via secure video — your choice, and you can switch between them.
• Location: 720 Business Park Blvd, Suite 20, Winter Garden, FL 34787
• Cancellation policy: 24-hour notice is required to avoid being charged for the session.
• Payment: Payment is due at the time of service. I accept credit cards, debit cards, and HSA/FSA cards.

For questions about fees and insurance, visit my Insurance & Fees page.

Ready to take the first step? Book your free 15-minute consultation and let's start with a conversation.