Orientation to Therapy

• Review of the intake documentation:
  • The therapist’s public disclosure statement
  • Informed consent to treatment
  • Limits of confidentiality
  • HIPAA privacy policy
  • Consent to telehealth
  • Consent to electronic communication
  • Initial treatment plan.
• Review the optional health and wellness program, ‘strengthening your conscious self’ to determine the appropriateness and your level of commitment to participate in the health and wellness education program.
• Review the options of establishing a relapse prevention plan and a crisis plan.
• Build rapport toward a trusting and therapeutic alliance, in a safe and supportive, validating environment.
• Achieve attunement, and conscious presence in the counseling space and in the present moment.
• Invitation to describe in as much detail as you are comfortable with; the nature and history of the symptoms of the presenting problems, including sensations, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that are unwanted, maladaptive, unhelpful, or harmful.
• Asked to verbalize any symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger, dissociation, hallucinations, recent episodes of hypomania or mania, history of psychosis, self harming thoughts, suicidal thoughts, and homicidal thoughts.
• Your therapist may, if appropriate to circumstances, assess the depth of depression and any suicide potential.
• Your therapist will address substance use and serious concerns appropriately, taking the necessary safety precautions as indicated, including referrals to higher levels of care (i.e. hospitalization, inpatient setting, residential programs, rehabilitation and treatment facilities, etc.)
• Your therapist will be guided by scientifically supported evidence based principles and statutes, rules, and regulations from:
  • The Vermont Department of Mental Health
  • The Vermont Secretary of State (Board of Mental Health Practitioners & The Office of Professional Regulation)
  • The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
  • The American Counseling Association (ACA)
  • The American Psychiatric Association (DSM 5 TR)
  • The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)
  • The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)