Before your First Session

We want you to feel confident walking in, even if you’re nervous. Here’s everything you need to know before your first session with us.

Forms You’ll Complete

(And Why)

  • This is where you tell us a bit more about what’s going on—your background, your goals, and what you’re hoping to work on.

  • This 9-question tool screens for symptoms of depression—things like mood, sleep, energy, and appetite. It helps your clinician understand how depression may be impacting your daily life.

  • This 7-question screener evaluates anxiety symptoms, including excessive worry, restlessness, and trouble relaxing. It helps determine if anxiety is something we should explore more deeply in therapy.

  • This 20-question checklist assesses symptoms related to trauma and PTSD—such as nightmares, hypervigilance, and avoidance. It helps us understand whether trauma-related care (like EMDR) may be beneficial.

  • This tool helps us assess for any risk of self-harm or suicidal thoughts. It’s brief, respectful, and ensures we create a safe and supportive plan moving forward—whether or not there are current concerns.

  • Outlines your rights and what to expect from therapy

  • Our trained therapy dogs, Churro and Toby, sometimes sits in on sessions. We’re just letting you know!

  • This form explains that, while we’re happy to bill your insurance, you are ultimately responsible for any remaining balance. It breaks down how copays, coinsurance, deductibles, and non-covered services work, so there are no billing surprises.

  • We require a card on file to make check-in and billing easier. This card will only be charged for copays or late cancellation/no-show fees.

  • Life happens, but to respect your time and our team’s, we do charge a fee for missed appointments without 24 hours’ notice. This form clearly lays out the details.

What to Bring

  • A valid ID

    Why? This confirms your identity and helps us meet legal and insurance requirements. It also ensures no one else can access your information by mistake.

  • Insurance Card (if using insurance)

    Why? This allows us to verify your coverage, check your benefits, and make sure any claims we submit are processed correctly—saving you time, confusion, and unexpected bills later.

  • Any Past Mental Health Records or Notes (optional)

    Why? If you’ve seen another therapist or provider and want to share what’s already been tried, what’s worked, or what hasn’t, this helps us avoid repeating things and move forward faster.

  • Yourself—just as you are

    Why? Seriously, that’s enough. Whether you're nervous, excited, skeptical, or just unsure—you're welcome here exactly as you are. No need to prepare or perform. We’ll guide you from there.

  • Forms done online? Just arrive on time.

    Still need to fill them out? Come 15 minutes early so we don’t cut into your session.

  • If your appointment is during front office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM), you’ll be greeted by one of our front desk team members. They’re happy to help you with any remaining paperwork or answer questions about billing and insurance.

    Coming outside of those hours? No problem. Just check in using the iPad at the front desk—it will let your clinician know you’ve arrived. Someone will be out to get you shortly.

  • Your first session is focused on you—your story, your needs, and how we can help. Your therapist might ask about:

    • Why you reached out now

    • What you hope to get out of therapy

    • Past experiences with counseling (if any)

    • Any safety concerns or immediate needs

    You don’t need the perfect words. We’ll help you find them.

  • You and your therapist will decide:

    • Whether to continue working together

    • What frequency feels right (weekly, biweekly, etc.)

    • Whether to include peer support, EMDR, or other services

    We’ll make a plan that works for you, not just a generic path.

Three garden gnomes dressed as a nurse, firefighter, and police officer in front of a brick wall.
Talk to someone