Cynthia Olivarez

The first session will allow us to get to know one another as we begin building a trusting, supportive relationship. We'll talk about about what brought you to therapy, your current concerns, your strengths, and what you hope to accomplish through counseling. I'll also ask questions about your personal, family, and emotional history to better understand your experiences.

We'll review confidentiality, including its limits, so everyone understand what to expect.

By the end of our session, we will identify initial goals and discuss a plan for moving forward.

Parent involvement is an important part of supporting a child's or teen's progress in therapy. The amount of communication depends on your child's age, treatment goals, and their level of development. I typically provide parents with general updates and collaborate on ways to support progress at home while respecting the confidentiality that helps children and teens feel safe in therapy. If there re concerns related to safety or well-being, I will communicate with you promptly.

Yes -- when it is helpful. Therapy is often most effective when clients have opportunities to practice what they learn between sessions. Homework may include coping skills, journaling, mindfulness exercises, communication strategies, or other activities tailored to your child's/teen's, or young adult's goals. Any between-session practice is designed to be realistic, meaningful, and supportive rather than overwhelming.

The length of therapy varies for each individual and depends on the concerns, goals, and progress. Some clients benefit from short-term therapy over a few months, while other find ongoing support helpful for navigating more complex or long-term challenges. We will regularly review your progress together and adjust the treatment plan as your needs change, with the goal of helping you build the skills and confidence to thrive both during and after therapy.