What happens when you get in touch? Getting started with your therapy or supervision journey

So you've taken the time to search for a therapist; maybe you spent time looking through profiles on Psychology Today or another directory. Now you are here and wondering if you should reach out and what it would look like. Let's talk it through so that your brain can rest and the "what ifs" have less breathing room. Who knows, maybe with a bit of clarity, you might feel ready to get started.

Here is the process as it stands now:

Contact form

You fill out my contact form. This form is only read by me and helps me to understand what your needs are so that I can then direct you to the next step. I respond to all contact forms within three working days, and you should also get an automatic email sent through to you after your submission confirming that the contact form has been received. You can keep the contact form brief while also giving me a general idea of what you would like to get out of working alongside me.

Intro call

I offer a free 15-minute call to discuss things a bit more before you commit to booking your first full appointment.

Involving other professionals

Keep in mind that some things require the involvement of other professionals before we can move forward. I might ask to get in touch with others involved in your care so that I can better understand your current support and how I might fit in. Ideally, talk therapy complements any other interventions you are currently participating in, and I will do my best to make sure of this.

Intake form

If you are looking for talk therapy, I will follow up by sending you a more detailed intake form through a secure health data software system called Jane. We move away from my Wix website and into Jane because keeping your health data secure matters to me. The intake form allows me to more properly assess whether or not I am able to provide you with the support you will need for your presenting concerns. If I might not be the right fit, I will tell you that and do my best to direct you to another person or organisation that can support you better. It is very important in therapy that you work with someone who is confident working with your presenting concerns.

Supervision

If you are here about supervision, we will skip the intake form through Jane and most likely go straight to setting up a 15-minute meet and greet video call.

Your first appointment

If we have decided I might be a good fit for you, we can then set up our first appointment. This will depend on where in the world you might be. If you are in Ontario, Canada, then we will find an online time that works well for you. If you are in New Zealand, we can discuss if in-person or online is your preference and then go from there.

The first appointment starts with me introducing myself, and then you do the same. The reason for us connecting then dictates what comes next, as how we use the time really depends on the goals of our work. You will not have to tell your entire life story on day one if that is not something you want to do.

Fees and payment

Payment is processed at the end of the session and fees are listed on the relevant service page. Most of the time, payment is done by card directly in the Jane system. If you have funded sessions (like Gumboot Friday or EAP) or your employer is paying the invoice, this will look a bit different and I can explain that process to you directly based on your specific scenario.

Cancellations and Rescheduling

If you need to cancel and let me know more than 24 hours ahead, there is no charge. Within 24 hours, half the session fee applies. If you do not attend and I have not heard from you, the full fee applies. You will get a reminder before each session, and if something comes up, please get in touch so we can discuss.

A good fit?

Just as much as I am deciding if I am the right fit for you, you are also deciding if you want to start this work with me. Throughout the getting started process, I really encourage you to ask questions and be honest with yourself about whether you think we will work well together. Finding the right "fit" in a therapist matters, and you are ultimately the one who gets to decide this.

Ready when you are.

Contact Form