Therapy Consultation Process

I will acknowledge that embarking on a therapeutic journey is a significant step, and I want to ensure that you feel supported and confident from the very beginning. My consultation and intake process is designed to provide a clear starting point, that helps me understand your unique needs, and establish a strong foundation for our work together. Understanding the consultation process can significantly enhance your comfort and confidence when considering counseling and coaching services. By providing a detailed article on my website about the consultation process, I aim to ensure clarity, transparency, and ease any uncertainties you might have about beginning our work together. This resource will walk you through each step, helping you know what to expect, how to prepare, and how our initial conversations will unfold. My intention is to empower you with knowledge, foster trust, and give you the tools necessary to make informed decisions about your personal growth, health, and well-being.

When anyone calls or emails requesting a therapist, I offer them the option to register for my client account portal (Therapy Portal) and schedule a consultation session. Our work together begins with the initial consultation, which allows us to meet, discuss your goals, and determine if Strengthening Your Conscious Self is the right fit for you. The consultation session typically lasts 55 minutes and includes the following:

Exploration of Goals: We’ll discuss what you’ve been through, your lived experience, what brings you to therapy, what has changed, what you hope to achieve, and any specific challenges or concerns you’d like to address.
My Credentials: I’ll share my background, education, training, experience, and approach to therapy. I’ll discuss confidentiality, privacy, technology, informed consent, mental capacity, medical necessity, and my private practice policies.
Program Overview: I’ll provide a brief overview of the Strengthening Your Conscious Self program, including its history, structure, evidence, therapeutic approaches, and expected outcomes.
Your Questions: This is your time to ask questions about me, my background, the program, my philosophy, my approach, or anything else you’d like to know.
Next Steps: If we agree to move forward, we’ll outline the next steps, including scheduling your intake session and completing the necessary paperwork.

Next Steps

Before your next session, the intake appointment, you will begin engaging in the intake process. After you schedule your intake appointment, I will send you an invitation to register your client portal account in Therapy Portal. You will be asked to create a user ID and password. You must provide your date of birth as a unique identifier. Once you have created your account, this will begin the intake process. You will be asked to review and sign the preliminary intake documents. The online procedures in the portal will allow for more efficient therapy, documentation, and assessment. Completing forms outside of sessions allows us more time during sessions.

I encourage you to view my professional websites and social media sites. The websites and social media pages provide vast amounts of information and resources even if you decide not to engage in services with me.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling private practice website.
Professional health and wellness website ‘Strengthening Your Conscious Self’
YouTube channel
Facebook page for my counseling practice
Facebook page for my Health and Wellness program
Linked In profile

I may have asked you to read the website article you’re currently reading, which describes the consultation and intake documents and process. I am sharing this with with you to utilize our time effectively, and honor and respect the valuable time we have in sessions.

Shared in Therapy Portal: I may have asked you to read and sign the form titled “Professional Public Disclosure Statement.” This important document serves to provide transparency regarding my qualifications and professional practices. It describes my licensing credentials, affirming that I am fully certified and legally authorized to provide therapy services. Additionally, it outlines my liability insurance to ensure that both you and I are protected during our professional relationship. The statement includes information about my professional associations, reflecting my commitment to adhering to industry standards and ethical practices. Furthermore, it details my undergraduate and graduate education, showcasing the academic foundation upon which my skills are built. My work experience is also highlighted, demonstrating a history of effective client engagement and therapeutic success. The document discusses my clinical experience, emphasizing the various settings in which I have honed my abilities. My counseling training is elaborated upon, providing insight into the methodologies and approaches I utilize in therapy. Finally, it covers my ongoing commitment to professional development through continuing education and certifications, which ensure that I stay current with the best practices in the field, ultimately benefiting you as my client.

Shared in Therapy Portal: I may have asked you to read and sign the important document titled “Vermont Secretary of State Statutes—Office of Professional Regulation,” which has been issued by the Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation, and Board of Allied Mental Health Professionals. This comprehensive document not only includes a professional regulation notice, which outlines the ethical standards and responsibilities expected of licensed professionals, but it also provides a clear method for filing a complaint should you feel the need to address any issues or concerns regarding professional conduct. Furthermore, the statutes governing the practice of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHCs) are detailed within this document, ensuring that you have a thorough understanding of the legal framework that guides our practice and reinforces the commitment to providing safe and effective mental health care. It is crucial that you familiarize yourself with this information, as it serves as a foundation for our therapeutic relationship and your rights as a client.

Shared in Therapy Portal: I may have asked you to read and sign the “Notice of Privacy Practices.” This essential document outlines how your personal information will be handled and protected throughout our therapeutic relationship. It is required by federal and state laws and guided by the ethical standards of my profession, ensuring that you are informed of your rights regarding confidentiality and the various scenarios in which your information might be disclosed. Understanding this document is crucial for fostering trust, as it clarifies the extent to which your privacy is safeguarded during our sessions and provides transparency about my obligations as your therapist. If you have any questions or concerns about the contents of this notice, please do not hesitate to bring them up during our meetings.

If I have not already asked you, I encourage you to read the preliminary documents below. You should have received a request from Therapy Portal to review them. If you have not received them, I will send them in the client account portal.

Program Table of Contents
The Client Account Portal
Notice of Privacy Practices
Introduction to Strengthening Your Conscious Self
Health & Wellness Domains
Integrated Approaches
Integrative Holistic Health & Wellness
YouTube Channel Videos (Introductions)
Clinician’s Ethical Responsibilities
Mental Capacity
Intake & Onboarding Process

My approach to therapy is holistic and integrated, humanistic, existential, compassionate, empathic, and psychodynamic, informed by mindfulness-based approaches that include physical, neurological, somatic-focused, social, mental/cognitive, emotional, dialectical, behavioral, interpersonal, and motivational interventions. I understand if you don’t know what any of the terms mean, I will do my best to explain them in more detail further in this manual. The approach is influenced by recovery guidelines, harm reduction principles, positive psychology, philosophy, and development of character strengths and virtues. The approach is best practices focused, empirically supported, strengths based, trauma informed, and culturally sensitive.

I will send you a Therapy Agreement to review and sign. The agreement includes the different forms that will be required from you, so that I may remain compliant with federal and state laws and regulations. A comprehensive Therapy Agreement and Informed Consent includes:

My practice fees, billing, record keeping, policies and procedures
Confidentiality statement & limits of confidentiality
Listing of technology and software I use to help my practice run effectively
Consent for electronic communication (email, portal messages, text, website, social media)
Consent for telehealth sessions (Zoom, Therapy Portal)
Consent for use of AI and technology (Blueprint AI, Therapy Fuel & Therapy Scribe)
No Surprises Act (and Your Good Faith Estimate)
Advance Medicare Beneficiary Notice

I will encourage you to read the following website articles. They describe the different forms that will be required from you, so that I may remain compliant with laws and regulations. The actual forms they describe will need to be signed after the initial consultation and intake session has been completed.

Consent for Services
Medications & Supplements
Intake & Consultation Sessions
Client Information Form
Client History Form
Client Insurance Form
Client Payment Authorization
Emergency Contacts & Other Contacts
Release of Protected Health Information Authorization

Once you have completed the initial consultation appointment and reviewed all the consultation documents, you will be sent a request in your Therapy Portal account to complete the following intake paperwork and pre-screening forms.

Client Information Form
Client History Form
Client Insurance Form
Payment Authorization Form
Notice of Privacy Practices

When all the consultation and intake documents and forms have been meticulously reviewed, filled out, signed, and submitted, you officially become a client. It is important to note that the consultation session is free, while the intake session will be billed as a regular therapy session. Completing the intake paperwork before a therapy session is an essential step that benefits both of us significantly. This preparatory phase allows us to make the most out of our time together, ensuring that we address your needs effectively. Therapy sessions are typically limited to a specific duration, often around 50-55 minutes, and by completing the intake paperwork beforehand, we can dive straight into addressing your unique concerns and working collaboratively on your individualized goals. This approach minimizes the time spent on administrative tasks, which can often detract from the valuable discussions we wish to have. Furthermore, it lays a solid foundation for our therapeutic relationship, enabling us to build trust and rapport more quickly, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of the therapeutic process over time.

The intake paperwork is designed to gather critical information about your medical history, current symptoms, past experiences, and overall well-being. This comprehensive background helps me understand your unique situation and tailor our sessions to better meet your needs from the very beginning. With the detailed information provided in the intake forms, I can develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific issues, symptoms, and behaviors. This means we can start working on interventions and strategies that are most relevant and effective for you, rather than spending the first few sessions just gathering information.

Intake forms often include questions about your mental health history, including any history of trauma, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts. Having this information beforehand allows me to be better prepared to support you in a safe and effective manner, ensuring that we can address any urgent concerns promptly. Knowing your background and concerns helps me create a supportive and empathetic environment from the start. When I understand where you’re coming from, it’s easier to build a trusting therapeutic relationship, which is essential for effective therapy. Completing intake paperwork is also a part of ethical and legal responsibilities. It ensures that I have all necessary consents and information to provide you with the best care, while also maintaining confidentiality and professional standards.

Once the initial consultation session has been held, you will also be sent the following forms in the portal.

Prescribed Medications, Vitamins, Supplements
Emergency Contacts Form
Client Orientation Checklist

The forms in this list are not provided in this manual, they are sent separately as a document request, and most are required by legislative statutes, ethical standards, and insurance companies.

Final Toughts

For many clients, the first therapy session can be anxiety-inducing. Having completed the intake paperwork can reduce some of this anxiety, as it gives a sense of preparedness and structure. You will know that I am already somewhat familiar with your situation, which can make it easier to start the conversation. Additionally, entering a new therapeutic space often comes with a mix of apprehension and hope; it’s a place where you’re encouraged to explore your thoughts and feelings without judgment. By having information from the intake form, I can tailor our initial dialogue to address your specific concerns, helping to create a more comfortable atmosphere. The initial session is not only about discussing your challenges but also about building a therapeutic rapport and establishing a foundation for our work together, ultimately guiding you towards your personal goals.

Intake documentation ensures that we have accurate records of your history and current mental health status, which forms the foundation of your therapeutic journey. This meticulous process is important not only for ongoing treatment but also for any future needs, such as referrals to other professionals or coordinating care with other providers. By documenting your unique experiences, symptoms, and the context of your mental health journey, we create a comprehensive picture that informs our approach to your care. This thorough understanding of your background not only helps us tailor interventions to meet your specific needs but also fosters an environment of trust and collaboration, allowing you to feel supported and empowered throughout your treatment process.

Ultimately, the goal of therapy is to help you make progress towards your personal goals and improve your overall well-being. Completing the intake paperwork thoroughly and accurately helps us hit the ground running, maximizing the effectiveness of our work together. By taking the time to complete the intake documentation before our session, you are investing in your own therapy process and helping to ensure that we can make the most of our time together. If you have any questions or need assistance with the forms, please do not hesitate to reach out to me before your appointment. I am here to support you every step of the way.