At Chico Creek Counseling we understand that counseling is a brave first step toward health, wholeness, and mended relationships. But it is a hard step. We want to make the process as simple as possible for you.
The following list provides a step by step guide to help you maneuver through the processes with ease.
- Check with your insurance company to make sure you’re covered. We take medi-cal and are out of network with other insurance companies. Call 530-410-0505 and talk with Ally or Kristen about our insurance options.
- Review our therapists’ bios and specialties. Find them here.
- Call and make an appointment. Ally and Kristen are happy to discuss your therapist needs.
- Fill out the necessary paperwork. Once you make an appointment it will be e-mailed to you.
- Take a deep breath. You did it!
- We have the option to pay online. If this is the best payment option for you, click here.
But what about when it’s time to see your therapist? What should you have prepared? What does that first session look like?
What should you have prepared?
Relax! You’re in good hands. There’s not much you need to prepare, only come ready with certain topics you want to discuss or work on. Sometimes creating a list before the session helps. That way you can make sure you’ve covered everything. But don’t worry, we won’t tackle everything that first session. Not only would that be overwhelming for your healing process, but a one-hour session simply won’t allow the necessary time for it.
What does the first session look like?
For each therapist the first sessions will be a little different, but some elements are universal. In that first session, we want to get to know you a little, and have you get to know us. A comfortable professional relationship is essential for you to feel safe and secure during your healing and personal growth. During this time feel free to ask us questions.
This first session will also be used to get some “housekeeping” out of the way. We’ll go over your intake paperwork, talk about confidentiality and what we are required by law to report to the authorities if you share it with us. After this we’ll have you describe why you came in for counseling and get to know your needs and what you want to work through.
What happens in following sessions?
After the initial session, we tailor treatment specifically to your needs, so we can’t describe with any accuracy what might happen in future sessions. But we can assure you that counseling is a process that you lead. Yes, we have techniques that will help your healing, but you are in charge of the pace of that healing and the topics we discuss in each session. Sometimes a session is easy, but sometimes sessions can hit deep emotional pain. Regardless, we make it our goal to help you work through the pain and leave our office in a place of peace.
Have more questions?
Feel free to call our office. 530-410-0505. Kristen and Ally are waiting to answer questions about insurance, general procedure questions, and, of course, schedule your appointment.
We look forward to meeting you!
