Maria Driscoll

The first session looks like us getting to know each other, to see if we're a good fit, and if so to collaborate on some goals for therapy.

Therapy is very personal journey. Having some goals and objectives is definitely important, but sometimes a client may just need a professional to vent to in a safe space. Some things you might see that can show that therapy is working are; some of the anxiety getting lighter. Or with a teen, perhaps their attitude becomes less intense. With younger children tantrums occur less often. (Parents being on board is pertinent) The learned skills and consistency in parents and kiddos using them at home can create slow or quick change depending on the variables of the situation.

This can be discussed in our first session together. We can collaborate together what works best.

That's OK in the beginning if they don't open up to me. I have lighthearted getting to know you games that help build trust in the relationship, but that may take time. I also express that I understand how awkward it can feel and that they're safe with me.

When it comes to your teenager, I express to them, as I do every client; That everything they say to me stays with me, unless they express that they are a harm to themselves, a harm someone else, or someone is harming them, and that these are the only circumstances in which I must break confidentiality.

It honestly depends on the child. If they're interested in something like that, and I feel that it would be beneficial, absolutely, and If not, no, I probably won't. But I will try to tell them to think about some of the things that we have discussed so that they can utilize them in their day-to-day routines to help them, such as some coping skills that I might teach them in session.

This depends on what the client needs. If it is for a general anxiety it can be anywhere from 8 to 10 sessions. This is as long as the client is active in using the skills that are taught in therapy and has the motivation to use them. Sometimes, even after that they might need to come back and check in with me once a month. It all depends on why the client is coming to therapy and What they are experiencing.

That can be a conversation that is had together with the client expressing how they're feeling and if they feel they are ok to end therapy.