Prospective clients often have questions for us about how to get started in treatment. They also wonder about how long treatment will take, and how to determine whether our services are a good match for their needs. Below is some general information about what our initial time together might look like. Please feel free to contact us with additional questions or to take the first step towards working together by scheduling a complimentary phone consultation.
Complimentary Phone Consultation
The first step to beginning treatment with us is to schedule a phone consultation. Dr. Kagan, Dr. Bloom, and Dr. Gordon offer a complimentary 15 minute phone consultation before scheduling an intake appointment. This consultation is an opportunity for us to learn more about your concerns and to tell you about our approach to treatment. It is also a chance for you to ask any questions you have about our work or about psychotherapy in general. If we mutually decide to move forward together, we will schedule an initial appointment.
Consultation Phase
Our first 1-4 sessions together will consist of a consultation period. During this time, we will have a chance to explore your presenting concerns in depth and to discuss treatment options. If for any reason we feel that your concerns are outside the scope of our expertise, we will work with you to find an appropriate referral. This consultation period is also an opportunity for you to evaluate your degree of comfort in working with us, and to determine whether you’d like to move forward with treatment. The consultation sessions are billed at the same rate as individual psychotherapy sessions.
Length of Treatment
Treatment length and frequency varies depending on the presenting problem, goals, and individual preferences. Most people find that they start to feel better after only a few sessions of CBT. That’s because we will immediately begin working with you to alleviate the symptoms that are causing the most distress. After the consultation phase of treatment, we will be able to provide you with a treatment plan that includes an estimated number of sessions needed to meet your goals.