What to Expect at the First Appointment
First of all, hello! We are very excited to meet you! The decision to start counseling is a big one and takes a lot of bravery. It is normal to feel overwhelmed or unsure about the first session. You and your loved one might be saying things you've never said out loud before or you might be at a loss and unsure of what to say at all. You may not know what to expect. Here are some things to know about your first appointment:
- The first session is called an Assessment. Your therapist will be doing a lot of information gathering, which can feel overwhelming which is normal. During the assessment, we go over what has brought your into our office as well as things that are going well for you. Perhaps this is your support group, talents, passions, etc. which may help you to manage your mental health along with therapy sessions.
- The majority of the assessment will be an interview. Questions start from the very beginning at prenatal development all the way up to the most recent actions that may have led you to our door.
- Both child and family will be offered an opportunity to speak individually to the pediatric therapist to discuss any concerns that you would like to share in confidence.
- You will be asked to fill out some forms about your background and personal information. Your therapist will also go over a document called Informed Consent which covers what you can expect in counseling. It also covers everything from information about your therapist, to session fees, to confidentiality policies. Be sure to ask any questions that come up about this document or any other point during the assessment.
- Towards the end of the assessment or the start of your second session, you and your therapist will begin to envision goals for your counseling sessions here. These are things you'd like to focus on in sessions. Try visualizing what the end-goal of an effective treatment for you is. How will you feel? What will have changed?
When I finish counseling, I will feel better. be confident. make eye contact. stop comparisons. focus more. give a speech. do well in school. No goal is too small or big to aim for.
Our main entrance is around back off of the client parking lot. Feel free to park here and be our guest in the waiting room and we will be with you shortly.
On Cameron St. you will see a red brick house with our sign out front at 19 S. Cameron (that’s us). To the side of our office is a driveway labeled 15 S. Cameron St. – Enter this driveway to access client parking (the entire lot is open to our clients) and our main entrance is pictured to the right. See you soon!
Directions to Cameron Pediatric Counseling:
CPC is located adjacent to Eagle Heights Presbyterian Church at
407 South Loudoun Street, Winchester, VA, 22601
*Free on-street parking directly in front of CPC or on Cecil Street next to the church
See you soon!
Front Entrance
If you would like to save some time at the first meeting, feel free to print and fill out this form beforehand!
If you would like to save some time at the first meeting, feel free to print and fill out this form beforehand!