What to Expect at Your Session

The first therapy session (or, “intake session”) usually lasts between 75 and 90 minutes. During this visit, we will discuss the challenges that led you to seek therapy as well as relevant background information, such as developmental milestones and family history. This information will help inform my understanding of your needs so that we can develop a treatment plan together. Some of this work may continue in future therapy sessions.

 

After the intake session, therapy sessions usually occur weekly and last 45 to 50 minutes. At the start of each session, you will be invited to provide a brief update and share recent successes and struggles. For child therapy, the majority of the session is often spent working one-on-one with your child or jointly with you and your child. Parents and other family members may at times be encouraged to participate in sessions or meet for a parent session without the child present. In therapy for parents, sessions are often one-on-one, although other family members may be invited to join a session at times depending on your treatment goals. Approaches used with parents and children vary depending on the best fit for your needs. Sessions often end with suggestions for skills to work on before your next visit. For child therapy, a caregiver must remain in the building for the length of the session.

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​Most individuals begin with weekly therapy sessions. As treatment goals are met and therapy moves towards an end, we typically transition to less frequent visits. For instance, visits may move to every other week and then once a month until therapy concludes. The total number of sessions needed varies depending on many factors, such as the extent of your needs, level of engagement, and frequency of sessions. Therapy is most effective when you actively participate and continue to work on skills between visits!