What to expect at your 1st appointment?

When you call me to schedule an appointment, your first appointment is called the assessment session.

During the assessment I usually gather background information related to your family and individual mental health history, your areas of strengths and coping, as well as your symptoms (areas of concerns / problems that bring you to therapy). 

I will review your individual history of trauma, substance abuse/dependence, marital status, employment and other important details to compile a comprehensive psychosocial evaluation. During the assessment session I will help you identify your desire outcome of services to determine treatment goals (what do you want to get out of therapy).  

This first appointment is about 45-60 minutes.

You will also fill out appropriate consent forms and demographic information. I will explain relevant details related to confidentiality and rights/responsibilities.

2nd session is usually the actual therapy session when we will begin to address your treatment goals. An hour of therapy session is about 45 minutes or more.

Most people can achieve their treatment goals in about 6 to 8 sessions. Some people may need fewer than these and others may need more. We will discuss your progress at every session.

PRIVACY AND DISCLOSURES

Information shared is personal and private. I do follow HIPPA rules, and all confidentiality measures as stated in the law.

Please feel free to do your own research regarding confidentiality and privacy rules. 

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge.

HIPPA does not prevent the disclosure of suspected child abuse, elderly abuse or other at risk / safety concerns to authorized agencies to receive those reports.

TARASOFF LAW:  provides that a psychotherapist has a duty to protect or warn a third party only if the therapist actually believed or predicted that the patient posed a serious risk of inflicting serious bodily injury upon a reasonably identifiable victim.

Mental Health professional may disclose private information without consent in order to protect the patient or the public from serious harm.