Getting Started

To make the process simple and efficient, this office uses Simple Practice a secure, mobile friendly client portal. When you schedule your first appointment you will receive an email with access to the portal where you can complete all required paperwork before your visit.

Through the portal you will be able to upload your insurance card and electronically sign intake forms. Completing these items in advance allows us to be prepared for your appointment and ensures that your time is spent focusing on your care rather than paperwork.

The client portal also allows you to send secure messages.

• If you don’t see the email to the client portal- check your junk folder.

• Technology can be tricky, if you need help simply give me a call. I’m happy to walk you through the process. 724-200-2496.

• If you prefer not to use the electronic portal, just let me know and I will have paper forms for your signature during your first visit, and I can make a copy of your insurance card.

Your first appointment is a little different from ongoing therapy sessions. This visit is focused on understanding what brings you to therapy and determining how we can best work together moving forward. Because of this, solutions or skills training are not typically provided during the initial session.

• During this appointment you can expect to talk about what led you to seek therapy, how current concerns may be affecting your day-to-day life, and what you hope to gain from the process. We also review relevant background information, including family, social, educational, medical, and mental health history. I will guide this conversation by asking questions. There is no pressure to know exactly what to say or where to begin.

• You will also be oriented to the therapy process. This includes reviewing office policies, limits of confidentiality, and the general approach used in treatment. Toward the end of the session we will begin discussing goals and what a potential treatment plan might look like.

• This appointment typically lasts 60-90 minutes. Ongoing therapy sessions last 50 minutes.

• The frequency of follow-up sessions is determined on a case-by case basis. The goal of therapy is to create meaningful and lasting change so that sessions can eventually be reduced and discontinued when appropriate.