Where to Start Wednesday: My Promise to Clients
Beginning a therapeutic journey for the first time can be a challenge.
“Will I be judged?”
“Will I be blamed for my issues?”
“Is telling my therapist about my problems going to work for them?”
“Is it okay to show feelings?”
“What if I freak out my therapist?”
“I feel out of control.”
These are common concerns. My hope is to share more information about what you can expect when working with me.
My promises to clients:
YOU set the agenda. I support you with achieving your treatment goals while respecting your priorities, values, and autonomy.
I do not judge or shame clients for making human mistakes, for not knowing what to do, for having a challenging past, or even for displaying unwanted behaviors. I have worked with a wide variety of issues and understand the complexity of being human. I support clients to meet themselves with acceptance and de-stigmatize issues as we work through them.
I am committed to creating a compassionate and patient space to meet you where you are as you consider approaching your goals. It can take time to transition from hoping something may change to being truly ready to make changes.
It is normal and acceptable to show feelings in therapy. It is also normal for feelings to come up during periods of change or growth. I can support clients to develop more of an understanding about how to address their feelings from an empowered place of self-care and self-trust.
I invite and expect honest feedback about how you experience my treatment of you. I am trained to center what works for you, rather than take feedback personally.
I understand that it takes courage to be honest and vulnerable with a therapist. I respect that clients may have boundaries until trust is built in the therapeutic relationship. Together, we can address any treatment resistance or emotional safety needs as we go. Questions about my clinical choices or thinking are always welcome.
I am not a blank slate therapist. I am willing to disclose aspects of my experience if it is helpful to your treatment goals. However, my self disclosure is done with care to ensure that your needs are appropriately central at all times.
I am responsible for setting therapeutic boundaries. If I need your cooperation in adhering to a therapeutic boundary or expectation, I promise to orient you further by communicating the expectation clearly and kindly. I don’t expect clients to automatically understand appropriate behavior in the therapeutic setting.
While I work to create a safe space, provide general educational information, and treat your needs according to our agreements, I consider YOU to be the expert on your personal needs and your experience. We work collaboratively as I learn about you as an individual.
Therapeutic relationships eventually come to an end. While you are working with me, I am committed to supporting you to find appropriate resources during your therapeutic journey. I am committed to respecting your choice if you ever think it makes sense to end treatment. I invite clients to request referrals in the event of termination. If I determine I cannot treat you for ethics or safety reasons in the event that your needs are out of the scope of my experience and skills, I will begin an open dialogue with you. It is my goal to support clients to experience appropriate closure when we end the therapeutic relationship.
If you’d like more information about working together, I welcome you to reach out to schedule a free 20-minute call.