Timeline

I understand how vulnerable and anxiety-provoking it can be to reach out for help and for this reason I strive to answer each message received within 48 hours. Below, I have outlined the steps to starting this journey, pending availability.

Step 1: Reaching Out

There are many methods of contact that you can use to initiate therapy which includes email, phone, or sending a message through the take action page on this website. In your message please include your reasons for seeking therapy, your availability for scheduling a free phone consultation, and any financial considerations I should be aware of.

Step 2: Free Phone Consultation

I offer a free 15 minute consultation to ensure that I am a good fit to help with the specific challenges you are facing, answer any questions you may have about my practice, and verify that our schedules align. My goal is to help you feel comfortable with the process and confident in your decision. This is the perfect time to ask questions, verify finances, and discuss any concerns you may have.

Step 3: Scheduling

Once the decision is made to proceed, we will compare schedules and agree to an initial appointment time. I will gather some contact information to put into my secured online system and review the paperwork that will be sent to you via email to complete prior to your first session.

Step 4: paperwork

All forms, policy documents, assessments, and demographics forms will be sent through Simple Practice’s paperless portal which is encrypted and HIPAA compliant. Some forms will ask for an e-signature once it has been reviewed while others will have spaces for you to provide further background information that will expedite the intake process. All pertinent paperwork will need to be completed prior to our first session.

Step 5: First meeting

Typically the first few sessions are a conversation focusing on getting to know one another and collecting information about your current and past experiences that have influenced your decision to start therapy.

This is an opportunity for you to:

  • share your concerns about what is occurring

  • identify stressors that you believe are contributing to your experience

  • ask questions about my background, training, and therapy style

This is an opportunity for me to:

  • get a sense of who you are and build a connection based on common interests, values, and goals

  • take inventory of your physical, mental, relational, and spiritual health

  • understand what you have already tried and what has or hasn’t helped

  • assess whether I can meet your needs

Therapy (and therapy with me in particular) may not be the best decision for everyone. Selecting a therapist is a very personal choice and research shows time and time again that therapy success is mostly dependent on the development of a healthy and strong relationship between client and therapist. Those who derive the most benefit from their work with me display the following characteristics:

  • Curiosity and willingness to talk about and explore their experiences in depth-we’re going to talk about the nitty gritty details!

  • Use humor to build and sustain relationships

  • Readiness to do what is necessary to initiate change and apply skills outside of session. One hour per week is simply not enough time to make the changes most people are wanting to see in their life. These concepts need to be applied outside of therapy to take full effect

  • Demonstrate vulnerability and openness to being seen and cared for by another person. Therapy is a heartfelt, deeply relational, and collaborative process that hinges on the ability to be witnessed, accept feedback, and be accompanied through various struggles. If you’re used to going it alone, that’s okay and is an adaptive response for many, but may be a barrier during this process

  • Openness to try new things. I love incorporating art materials, mindfulness/meditation exercises, and tapping in sessions for further exploration and understanding of concepts being discussed

Once we have agreed that we are a good match and would like to proceed, we will discuss frequency of sessions and identify goals for our work together. Periodically, we will revisit these goals to determine if we are on the right track or if changes need to be made to better address your concerns. I am always open to feedback and will check in to ensure that we are in sync throughout this process.

Third Space Therapy LLC reserves the right to collect and store demographic data (name, address, phone number, email, and credit card number) for provision of therapy services. Information will be stored in a HIPAA compliant system and utilized only by clinician, Amanda Roberson.

The information listed above is collected via a variety of formats-the Contact page on Third Space Therapy’s website, intake paperwork, and verbally during initial consultation as part of the service contract.

Client information is never shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All sharing mentioned in this policy excludes mobile opt-in and consent; opt-in information is never shared with anyone for any purpose.

Clients may opt out of communications via their client portal.

Clients may get more information regarding privacy practices via phone number or by emailing clinician.