Getting Started in Couples Therapy

Before we Meet
This page will offer you an brief orientation to the intake and assessment phase of our work. Of course, we are available to talk by phone if you prefer by calling us at 678-999-3390 to discuss questions or concerns that you may have before scheduling. You can also schedule a free 20 minute consultation with me over the next week by selecting the link below labeled “Take the First Step”.

Fees
I currently do not take insurance and my rates are $200 for couple sessions that last 80 minutes and $150 for sessions that last 45 minutes. My standard session length is 80 minutes, with the exception of individual 45 minute sessions as part of my intake process.

I require that you enter a credit card into our client portal, which will be automatically billed following each session. Unfortunately, I do not take other forms of payment, including cash or checks.

Scheduling and Required Forms
To make scheduling, payments, and communication easier for you, we use a client portal called Simple Practice. You will be able to access resources, messaging, invoices, and scheduling services through this HIPPA compliant portal.

For more information about setting up a profile, scheduling and communicating, see their Getting Started Guide: Client Portal.

Before our first meeting, you both will create a profile in Simple Practice and sign few electronic forms. I will highlight the important points within each form during our first session, as well as answer any questions that you may have regarding them.

To Schedule
a 20 minute “Initial Phone or Video Consultation” at no charge
or take your first step now by scheduling our first session for 80 minutes by choosing the
“Initial Diagnostic Evaluation – First Appointment for all New Clients” below.

The Intake/Assessment Process
We do not begin therapy until we know what is happening and agree on our treatment goals. This intake/assessment phase will consist of four sessions and will be needed before we begin therapy.

Our first appointment will be a joint 80 minute session with both of you in the same room. At the end of this meeting, we will schedule two 45 minute individual sessions and an 80 minute joint session where we will review the results of the assessment.

Following our initial meeting, I will email you and your partner a link to an online clinical assessment called the Gottman Relationship Checkup. I will use the results of this assessment during our individual 45-minute session and cannot access these results until both of you complete the assessment. Therefore, you will both need to complete the assessment by end of day before my first individual session. Keep this requirement in mind so that you give yourself enough time to both complete it as you schedule your first 45-minute session. It will take you around 1 to 2 hours to complete the assessment.

Following the second individual session, I will need at least 24 hours to develop summary of the assessment results and discuss your treatment plan.