What to Expect on your First Visit to
Brighter Dimensions
We know that making the decision to seek counseling is a major decision for our future clients. We want to ensure that you are comfortable and confident before your first appointment. Use the following tools to help you prepare.
Contact
You have chosen a path that will immensely benefit your life. To begin therapy at Brighter Dimensions, please click below and fill out our contact form - you will receive a response in 24-48 business hours.
What to do while you wait for our response? Check your calendar for potential openings to best help us accommodate your schedule. Also, check your Insurance for benefits. Your Insurance Company will have the best answers to your potential questions.
Prepare
Come to your first appointment, ensuring that you have completed all necessary paperwork (click the "paperwork" button below for printable documents). Other important documents to bring include, Insurance Card and an Official Photo ID (Driver's License or Government Issued ID). Additionally, make sure you have provided our office with all up to date Insurance information. You will be in contact with our main office and with your counselor/therapist prior to your appointment - arrive promptly to maximize your time!
During Your Session
Your first appointment is often spent getting to know your counselor, and them getting to know you!
Come in comfortable clothing. You are in a safe space that is judment free! Children will often be on the floor playing or doing crafts that can get messy, so appointments are not the time to wear your best outfit. Parents may be encouraged to sit on the floor and play with their children if the therapist deems this necessary.
If you are accompanying someone to their appointment, we have waiting rooms with seats, magazines, books, and small toys.
Feel free to bring anything that will aid in your comfort, but please be mindful of other patients, and don't bring anything dangerous or distracting.
Setting and Achieving Goals
All of the staff at Brighter Dimensions are academically trained and ready to meet you with compassion and care. Your sessions will be best when you come ready to be open and honest. Think of your therapist as a teammate - ready to support you and help you find success. Together you will work on shaping plans to better your life and achieve your goals. This takes intention and time, but will ultimately lead you to success.
"Play Therapy" Works!
Many of our therapist incorporate "Play Therapy" into their sessions. This accredited and proven therapy style can greatly impact your child. Interested in learning more about this theraputic approach? Watch this video! Reach out to our office or your personal therapist if you have any questions or know a child who could be helped today!
Reach Out
If you have any specific questions about therapy and counseling, please reach out to our office.
We want to assist you on every step of this journey!
FAQ
Still unsure? The following, Frequently Asked Questions may help!
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems. Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me? People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life. In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.
What is therapy like? Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist (usually weekly).
What about medication vs. psychotherapy? It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.
Do you take insurance, and how does that work? To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call your insurance provider. Some helpful questions you can ask them: What are my mental health benefits? What is the coverage amount per therapy session? How many therapy sessions does my plan cover? How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider? Is approval required from my primary care physician?
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential? Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and therapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team, but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.
What exceptions are there to confidentiality? State law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations: Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources. If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threaten to harm another person.
What are some benefits of therapy? A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn
What are some examples of goals my therapist might set? Each need for therapy is different, some examples might include: Better understanding yourself, your goals and values, improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence Developing skills for improving your relationships Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy Learning new ways to cope with stress, anxiety, anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures Improving communications and listening skills Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage