What should I expect?

Before your first appointment, you will be asked to complete the online intake forms via the TherapyNotes patient portal; when you schedule with your counselor they will assist you with logging on for the first time. Intake paperwork will need to be completed before your first session.

The first appointment is usually called an intake session. During an intake session, the counselor will introduce themselves and review the online forms and any other intake forms with you, as well as begin to understand your concerns and goals in therapy. The counselor may also ask you to complete additional questionnaires, depending on your needs and symptoms.

Do I need counseling?

People usually decide to talk to a therapist when the pain of what they are trying to cope with becomes too big for them to handle on their own and they recognize they need help.

How long will I be in counseling for?

Therapy can take a few sessions to over a year; single incidents or temporary issues tend to resolve in a few sessions where chronic experiences can take longer. It is important not to pressure yourself to heal in a specific amount of time, and instead focus on your goals with your counselor and practice skills between sessions.

What type of therapy do you practice?

At Human to Human Counseling, many of our therapists practice a form of therapy called EMDR (eye movement desensitization reprocessing). EMDR was initially for those who struggle with trauma related diagnoses, such as PTSD. However, EMDR can be helpful to anyone who struggles with negative beliefs about themselves, others, or the world.

All of the therapists at Human to Human Counseling are trauma informed, which means they have a compassionate and informed perspective they see your situation through. When you have counseling with a therapist who is trauma informed, therapy is effective and will help you grow self compassion.

Kate McVey with Human to Human Counseling offers “Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy” which is one of the most effective forms of treatment for OCD; people who receive ERP therapy can gradually reduce their anxieties and stop the problematic cycle of OCD.

How does confidentiality work?

Everything you share in session is confidential - aside from if you want to harm yourself or others, if a child under the age of 16 or dependent adult is in danger, if your files are subpoenaed by the court, or if you experience a health emergency during a session.

What if I cannot remember a lot of my past specifically?

Not being able to remember a lot of your past specifically is common with chronic trauma. Healing with EMDR and other trauma therapies can still be accomplished by focusing on general experiences, or just those that are remembered well.