Almatine "Tee" Sanders

Think of our first session as a conversation, not an interrogation. We’ll cover the basics, like consent, confidentiality, and how telehealth works, and you can ask me anything about how I work. Then we’ll talk about what brought you in and what you’d like to feel different. Share as much or as little as you want. You set the pace, and you don’t have to tell me your whole story on day one. By the end, we’ll have a rough plan for what comes next, and you’ll know whether we’re a good fit.

I’ll check in with you regularly, and how often depends on your child’s needs and age. Most families can expect a brief check-in at the start or end of sessions, plus parent sessions every few weeks to talk about progress, share tools you can use at home, and answer your questions. Between sessions, you’re welcome to reach out about scheduling or anything urgent. To help your child feel safe opening up, I’ll share the big picture, like progress, goals, and any safety concerns, but not every detail of what they tell me.

That’s really common, and it’s okay. Opening up to a new person takes time, especially for kids and teens who have had reasons to be careful with adults. I won’t push or pressure them. We’ll start by building trust through things that feel easier, like games, drawing, music, or just talking about what they enjoy. Some kids take a few sessions to warm up, and that’s part of the process, not a sign that something is wrong. I’ll also check in with you about what you’re noticing at home, and we can adjust our approach together if needed. Therapy works best when your child feels safe.