What to expect
What to Expect in Counseling
If this is your first time in therapy, or your first time with a new therapist, it is normal to feel uncertain about the process. This page walks you through exactly what working with Gate Healing looks like, from the first phone call through ongoing sessions.
Before Your First Session
It starts with a conversation. You can reach out by phone, email, or through the contact form on this site. We will talk briefly about what is bringing you to therapy and whether my approach sounds like a good fit for your situation. This is not a commitment. It is a chance for both of us to see if working together makes sense.
If we decide to move forward, I will send you intake paperwork electronically. You will complete it before your first session so we can use our time together productively rather than filling out forms.
Your First Session
Sessions are conducted over a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. You can join from anywhere in Texas using a computer, tablet, or phone with a stable internet connection. All you need is a private space where you feel comfortable talking openly.
In the first session, we will start by going over confidentiality and answering any questions you have. From there, we will talk about what brought you to therapy and what you are hoping to get out of it. I take a conversational approach. This is not a formal interview. It is a real conversation where I am listening carefully and asking questions to understand your situation.
We may not cover everything in the first session, and that is fine. The goal is for you to leave feeling heard and with a clear sense of how we will work together going forward.
What Individual Sessions Look Like
Individual sessions are 45 minutes. My style is direct, collaborative, and grounded in practical outcomes. I am not going to sit quietly and nod for 45 minutes. I will ask questions, offer observations, and challenge patterns when I see them. I will also listen carefully and give you the space to work through what you need to work through.
I draw from several approaches depending on what the situation calls for, including Solution-Focused therapy, Gottman principles, mindfulness-based techniques, and insight-oriented work. The approach adapts to you rather than the other way around.
What Couples Sessions Look Like
Couples counseling follows a structured process. In the first joint session, we will discuss what is happening in the relationship and what each of you is hoping to change. I will then schedule individual sessions with each partner to hear your perspectives privately. Before the next joint session, each of you will complete an online relationship assessment.
I use the Gottman Method, which means our work together is grounded in research on what actually makes relationships succeed or fail. I do not take sides. I pay attention to the patterns between you and help you change the ones that are causing the most damage.
Couples counseling can feel intense, especially early on. That is normal. The goal is not to avoid difficult conversations. It is to have them in a way that actually leads somewhere.
Between Sessions
Therapy does not only happen during our 45 minutes together. I may suggest things for you to practice, read, or think about between sessions. These are not busywork assignments. They are specific to what we are working on and designed to keep momentum going.
How Long Does Therapy Take?
It depends. Some people come in with a specific issue, make progress in a handful of sessions, and move on. Others find that ongoing therapy serves them well as a regular space for reflection and growth. There is no minimum commitment and no pressure to continue longer than is useful to you.
I will be honest with you about how things are going. If I think we have done the work you came to do, I will tell you. If I think there is more to explore, I will tell you that too. The decision is always yours.
Ready to get started? Reach out to schedule your first session, or call (512) 771-7621.