What to expect from psychotherapy, counseling & therapy in Philadelphia

A while back, there used to be books entitled, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” (do they still even make those anymore?) and, I liked the idea. I mean, it gave a kinda roadmap, you know? To my knowledge, there aren’t any books out there about what to expect in therapy, probably and partially (I think) because there is such a wide variety of therapy approaches and counselors available who are all so different. It can be overwhelming.

I’ve already written about finding a counselor, questions to ask a therapist, and basic FAQs about therapy in Philadelphia. For someone who’s never been to a counseling session before, it can be pretty intimidating. So today, I’m gonna give you a simple “cheat sheet” for what to expect when going to therapy or counseling in Philadelphia (at least with regard to how I work with my clients).

Virtual Counseling & Therapy in Philadelphia: What to Expect Before Your First Therapy Session 

People from Philadelphia and surrounding areas of Pennsylvania are able to contact me through my website, on the phone, or via one of my directory listings. From that initial contact, they are able to actually schedule their own consultation. I talked about the importance of initial therapy consultations here.

My DBT private practice is completely virtual and done via video, using my secure, HIPAA compliant, telehealth/telemedicine platform. DBT Therapy consultations can be done by phone or online (virtually). Consultations for virtual therapy are intended to learn a little about why you’re seeking counseling and to provide you with information on how I work. Since psychotherapy is such a personal thing and finding a mental health therapist in Philadelphia, who’s a good fit is such a personal decision, my consultations for online therapy help us decide if it’s a good fit for both of us.  

Once we’ve decided that we’ll be working together and before your first session, I’ll send out all of the initial “paperwork” electronically for you to complete ahead of time. That way during your first session, we can actually get to work instead of having to do HIPAA and other forms during that time. This initial “paperwork” will be sent via your email with a link for my secure practice management system.

What to Expect During Your First Virtual Counseling Session with Me, Your Therapist in Philadelphia

Prior to your scheduled counseling appointment, you’ll receive a secure link via email for you to access your appointment. At this point, you’ll already have completed and reviewed all of the electronic forms and documents needed to begin therapy with me. After a brief review of those forms, we can dive right in and get to work.

During your first therapy appointment, we’ll talk a bit about your goals for therapy and come up with a “game plan” for your treatment. We’ll go over any questions you may have, and also talk about how we’ll measure your progress in therapy or what we’ll do if things are working. One of my main goals for the first counseling appointment is to help you feel a bit more comfortable with me and the process for therapy.

DBT Therapy in Philadelphia: What to Expect During a Typical Therapy Session

While every client has their own goals for treatment and their own individualized treatment plan, there are certain things you can typically expect during your therapy sessions with me.

If you’re familiar at all with me and my private practice, you’ll know that mindfulness is a huge piece of my therapy work. Clients can expect to be learning about mindfulness and practicing mindfulness, typically during the beginning of each session. I’ll almost always do a check-in each session to assess how you’ve been doing in between sessions. Therapeutic “homework” will most likely be given, so you can practice certain skills in between your sessions. “Homework” may include completing a mindfulness exercise, practice a new skill, or possibly thinking about a specific thing before their next session.

Philadelphia DBT Therapy

If you’re thinking about pursuing Dialectical Behavior Therapy or not sure what to do, feel free to give me a call at 717-685-5074 or click here to book your own consultation for therapy in Philadelphia. I specialize in using DBT for BPD, anxiety counseling, and trauma therapy. I’d be happy to talk with you and point ya in the right direction.