I have over 20 years of experience providing counseling services to individuals experiencing significant trauma and anxiety related to negative social determinants of health. I have specialized in working with marginalized populations. I have worked with individuals, couples and families, victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, those experiencing homelessness, with schools to advocate for children with learning issues, families who newly arrived in the US, worked with adolescents and adults, and with those navigating their own sexuality and identity. I would ask the client what their concerns are, how those concerns impact their health (emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially, etc). I would ask the client what they have tried in the past, what worked
and what didn’t. I would also ask the client how they would measure success and progress.

I would briefly review my background with clients. I would ask them what concerns they have, and how they would measure success and progress. It would be the first sessions where we set expectations using skills, they have identified, they have used and worked in the past. I would discuss what they didn’t like in previous therapy and didn’t feel helped. I would discuss my regular hours, how to reach me via email, cell or in office and telehealth offering. I would also discuss who their resources are and how to bring those supports in to help the client as well if there were situations between sessions to increase their resiliency, if they are comfortable with this. I would talk to the client about what is a comfortable pace of meeting and start with setting up the next session in a forum they are comfortable in (in person or telehealth).