Getting Started: Initial Evaluation
Intake Evaluations for Children and Teenagers
Children and teenagers live in complex systems they cannot alter as easily as adults can. Your fifth grader cannot independently decide to change teachers and get a new little sister the way an adult may decide to leave a relationship or a job. For me to be helpful, I need to understand your child's developmental stage and social and familial environment - as well as his or her symptoms. For this reason, when I work with children and teenagers, I spend time carefully getting to know your child and family and strongly prefer to meet with both parents together early in my work with your child. By doing a comprehensive assessment, I can work collaboratively with you on a treatment plan that considers your child's whole environment.
Intake Evaluations for Adults (Not Living with Parents)
My intake process for adults is a comprehensive 1.5 to two hour clinical interview. This initial meeting gives me a chance to know you and your history and to make sure I am not overlooking anything. It also allows you to get a sense of how well I understand you and your concerns and emotions. At the end of our intake session, I will give you my impressions and recommendations for a treatment plan tailored to your unique situation.