Anita Plank

Our first session is a chance for us to get to know each other. I’ll ask questions about what brings you to therapy, your goals, strengths, and any challenges you’re facing. For children and teens, I love having parent involvement in the first session to best support the family system and understand the bigger picture. We’ll also talk about what support looks like and you’ll have space to ask questions. My goal is to create a comfortable, welcoming space where we can begin building a plan together.

You’ll know therapy is working when you start noticing real changes in your day-to-day life. This might look like feeling more in control of your emotions, having better tools to manage stress or anxiety, improving relationships, or understanding yourself more clearly. We’ll also regularly check in on your goals together so we can see progress, adjust when needed, and make sure therapy is actually helping in the ways that matter to you or your child.

That’s completely normal, especially at the beginning. I don’t expect children or teens to open up right away. I focus first on building trust, safety, and comfort at their pace. I also work creatively and flexibly based on their age and personality. Parent input can be especially helpful in the early stages so I can better understand what’s going on and support the whole system. Over time, most kids and teens begin to open up as they feel more safe and understood.

Confidentiality is very important in my work with teens. What is shared in session stays private, with a few important exceptions for safety concerns such as risk of harm to self or others, or abuse. I also involve parents in a thoughtful way—sharing general themes and progress while respecting the teen’s privacy so they can build trust in the process. I’m transparent with both teens and parents from the beginning so everyone understands what is shared and why.

Sometimes, yes—but it’s always tailored to the person. If it feels helpful, I may suggest simple practices or “between-session” work to help reinforce what we’re doing in therapy. This could include reflection exercises, coping strategies, or small behavior changes. It’s never about busy work—only tools that support real-life progress at a pace that feels manageable.

I communicate with parents regularly, but in a way that protects your child’s privacy and supports trust in therapy. Typically, I’ll check in with parents as needed, share general themes, progress toward goals, and any important concerns related to safety or functioning. The frequency depends on the child’s age, needs, and level of care. My goal is to keep you informed and involved while also giving your child or teen a safe space to talk openly.

The length of therapy varies based on the person and their goals. Some people come for short-term support around a specific issue, while others benefit from longer-term work to address deeper patterns and ongoing challenges. We’ll regularly check in on progress and decide together what feels most helpful. My focus is always on meaningful change, not staying in therapy longer than needed.

We decide together based on your goals and progress. As you or your child start meeting goals, using skills consistently, and feeling more confident managing challenges, we’ll begin talking about stepping down or ending therapy. I also check in regularly to make sure therapy still feels useful. Ending therapy is a thoughtful process, not a sudden stop, and we make sure you feel supported and prepared before finishing.