Starting counseling can feel uncertain. Here's what the process looks like and what you can expect from life telling counseling—a narrative, faith-integrated approach to wholeness.
Reach out via the contact form or call (916) 534-8244. We'll schedule a brief phone consultation to discuss your situation, answer questions, and determine if we're a good fit.
Find a quiet, private space where you can take your session via secure video. This might be your home, office, or another comfortable location. Make sure you have a stable internet connection.
Think about what you'd like to discuss. You don't need to have everything figured out—just bring your openness and willingness to explore. If you have insurance, have your policy information handy.
Your first session is 50 minutes via secure video conferencing. I'll send you a link before our session. We'll start a few minutes early to handle any technical issues.
In our first session, I'll learn about you and your situation. We'll cover:
Everything you share is completely confidential. I'm bound by law to keep your information private, with limited exceptions (danger to self/others, abuse of children/elderly, court order). We'll discuss these limits in detail.
After your first session, we'll establish a regular schedule that works for you. Most clients find weekly sessions most effective, though some prefer bi-weekly or monthly sessions based on their needs and goals.
Each session follows a similar structure: we check in on how you've been, discuss what's on your mind, explore patterns or challenges, and identify practical steps you can take between sessions.
Therapy is a collaborative process. You're the expert on your life—I'm here to provide guidance, tools, and support. We'll work together to understand your challenges and create meaningful change.
The quality of our relationship matters. If at any point you feel we're not connecting or if something isn't working, please tell me. We can adjust our approach or discuss whether a different therapist might be a better fit.
The real transformation happens between sessions. I'll suggest practices, reflections, or exercises that help you apply what we discuss to your real life. This might include:
We'll regularly check in on your progress toward your goals. If something isn't working, we'll adjust. Therapy isn't one-size-fits-all—we'll tailor our approach to what works best for you.
Faith-integrated therapy honors your Christian faith as part of your healing. This means:
I work with Christians from various traditions and theological perspectives. My role isn't to judge your beliefs—it's to help you integrate your faith with your healing. If something doesn't align with your values or beliefs, let me know.
That's completely normal and expected. Therapy is a safe space to feel and express emotions. Tears, anger, laughter—all of it is welcome. This is where healing happens.
This varies based on your goals and challenges. Some people benefit from short-term therapy (8-12 sessions), while others prefer ongoing support. We'll discuss what makes sense for you.
Please speak up! Therapy is collaborative. If something doesn't feel right or doesn't align with your values, tell me. We'll discuss it and adjust our approach.
Yes, with limited exceptions. I'm required to break confidentiality if there's danger to you or others, abuse of children or elderly, or a court order. We'll discuss these limits in detail during your first session.
Let me know. We can discuss what's not working and adjust our approach. Sometimes it takes a few sessions to find the right fit, and sometimes a different therapist might be a better match.
The first step is reaching out. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation and how faith-integrated therapy can support your healing journey.
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