Transform Your Life with Althea Lee LMFT

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Before starting therapy, It is important for you to understand that therapy is a way for you to gain understanding and insight through self-discovery. Do not be surprised if your

goals continue to change throughout the therapy process. This is due to your

self-awareness increasing. 

The therapist is a person who helps you see into all your life experiences and

then gives you the tools to make the change within yourselves. The therapist is

there to assist in your discovery and cheer you on when you are heading in the

right direction.

Therapy can be a positive experience yet at times may feel like a struggle.

While therapy is a way to provoke change, change may feel like work until you

adapt and feel the rewards.

“When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged

to change ourselves”

~Viktor E. Frankl

During the initial session the therapist tries to obtain important information on

what the problem is and how it all started. This is also a time where the

therapist will need demographic and payment information.

Make the most of your session by:

Thinking about the reasons that you have decided to seek counseling.

Thinking about some goals for counseling. In other words, what would

you like to change?

Making sure you bring with you information such as medications, names

and addresses of doctors, emergency contact information, etc.

Planning for a 60 minute session. Please make sure you have childcare, as it is

not in your best interest to bring children to a session unless they are

participants in the counseling.

When we meet for our first appointment we will discuss your specific situation,

the therapy journey, your expectations/goals for the process, and any

questions that might facilitate counseling for you. I will also provide you with

paperwork to fill out and for you to review, this may include:

General Information for you to fill out: contact information, etc.

Policies & Procedures that protect your confidentiality.

HIPAA: Federal government regulations about confidentiality for you to

sign and read.

Any forms that are required.

Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and

psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly

sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the

therapist's office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their

confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in

session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”.

Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give

an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Attorney), but

by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your

written permission.

However, State Law and Professional Ethics require therapists to maintain

confidentiality except for the following situations:

* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to

the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on

information provided by the client or collateral sources.

* If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of

harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.