BEFORE YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT

• Find a time that works for you by clicking the “Work with Me” button in the top right corner of the website. I’ll confirm the time via email or text.

• Once your appointment is confirmed, I’ll add your information into Simple Practice, which is a scheduling software I use for scheduling, billing, and storing paperwork. Simple Practice will email you the intake documents that will need to be completed prior to our first session together. This is important because if I don’t have these documents from you, we can’t meet. I send these virtually because I know that therapy can be expensive and I respect the time and money you’re putting into this process. Let’s save the session for getting to know each other, not repeating your signature a bunch of times.

• Add the appointment to your personal calendar and get ready! Simple Practice will send you a reminder text 24 hours before your appointment time. If you’ve decided to do Telehealth sessions, I will send a Zoom link with a unique log-in and password the morning of our session.
  

WHERE TO GO

• You’ll arrive at The Honored Place Therapy, located at: 6740 W 121st Street, Overland Park, KS 66209.

• Tons of parking is available outside of the building and no permits or visitor’s passes are required.

• I am located in the building that shares space with Simply Be Therapy and Kansas Kidney Consultants. The Honored Place decal will be on the door. Enter into the building and walk straight down the hall. You will see restrooms on your right. Just past those, there is a door labeled The Honored Place.

• When you walk in, you’ll immediately enter into the waiting area. Feel free to make yourself some coffee or grab a sparkling water out of the fridge and then get comfortable. It’s a cozy space so we won’t miss each other! I’ll pop out of my office and get you at our appointment time.

• The Honored Place follows local mask mandates and city ordinances. Currently, masks are not required but if the policy changes, please be advised. I will always have masks on hand in my office if you feel more comfortable with them on. I’m happy to wear one upon request, just let me know!
  

OUR FIRST APPOINTMENT

• First sessions are much more structured than “regular” sessions following, as it involves going over questions about the paperwork and getting background information. I do my best for it to not feel interrogative or probing, but sometimes it can still appear that way. I will take on much more of an assertive, structured role this session than future sessions in order to make sure we cover everything we need to.

• Even though your paperwork will already be completed, it’s important to me that we highlight some of the more important areas outlined in the documents. We’ll spend some time at the beginning going over these and I will answer any questions or process some concerns you may have.

• After that, I’ll ask you some questions about what brings you to therapy, including some background information. I know this can be daunting and sometimes it’s hard to know exactly where to start. Don’t worry! Things don’t necessarily have to make sense - I’ll put the puzzle pieces together, you just be you.

• At the end of our time together, I’ll ask you how you’re feeling and what you think about us working together in the future. I do this because there is SO much research that proves that the number one indicator of client success is the relationship with their therapist. You have to feel like you can open up to me and be yourself in order for change to occur. Therapeutic alliance far outweighs any science, modality, or intervention I could ever use. Likewise, I have to also think that we’re a good fit. If I feel you are in need of a higher or different level of care, I will tell you.

• If for whatever reason, one or both of us thinks we aren’t the best person for each other, that’s okay! Any good, competent, ethical therapist wants people to succeed and to reach their goals even if that means that the work is not with them. Which means I want YOU to accomplish everything you want out of therapy. I know it can be uncomfortable to tell someone that you don’t want to continue to work together, but trust me when I say this - I will not be offended. Please look out for YOU always.

• If we are a great fit, the credit card information you provided in the intake paperwork will be charged at the end of the day. If one or both of us don’t think it’s a great fit, I will give you plenty of referrals and guidance as to what may be needed for quality care.
  

AFTER YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT

• Take time you need for you after. Therapy can feel relieving, but it can also leave you feeling exposed, raw, and with a bit of a vulnerability hangover. If possible, give yourself time and space after our session to process the experience on your own or with someone safe in your life.

• If we didn’t schedule another appointment at the end of the session already and we both agreed we’d like to move forward, either text me, email me, or get back on my website to schedule another appointment. Let’s do this! I’m excited to sit with you.

• If for whatever reason, we are not a good fit, I will send you an email with referrals for another therapist that might be a better fit instead. I will never have you leaving my office feeling confused, dropped, or abandoned. Even if we are not meant to work together, I’ll still be with you every step of the way as you find the therapist right for you.