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CONSULTATION?
What is a consultation?
Every family is different. Many people spend hours and hours researching the “right answer” for their family and most of the time it just isn’t exactly right. A consultation session is a unique and special space to speak with an expert in the field about your family, your situation, your children and to come up with a plan that makes sense for your family. So many parents come into therapy seeking guidance on what could be next for their family and they just want answers- this is the place to get clear direction on what is next and what could be most helpful for your specific family.
How is consultation different than therapy or coaching?
A consultation session is often just 1 or 2 sessions with a client in which a treatment plan is established. No diagnosis or actual work on the issues at hand will occur. Consultation gives you the map and therapist and coaches are the guides to help you read your map and get to where you want to go.
Can I book a consultation even if I don't live in Washington State? Or even the United States?
Yes! Consultations are booked world wide- just note the time difference on the zoom links.
What will the consultation look like?
Typically consultation sessions are booked in a 2 hour block allowing for optimal time to share the story of your family, express concerns and ask the necessary questions you may have about what you and your family should do next. Often the first hour is going through history and answering questions about values and goals so the treatment planning and problem solving in the second hour fits for your family.
What can I expect to get out of the consultation?
You will walk away (hopefully) feeling listened to and empathized with. Each story is significant and unique and the “conveyer belt” type treatment is not adequate to really heal from the impacts of betrayal trauma. You and your family will walk away with an action plan directed towards each person thriving, sometimes this looks like a treatment plan with identified goals, a referral to inpatient or an intensive, a therapist or coaches name to help move you forward in your journey, a game plan for disclosure, or divorce process.
Will my insurance pay for this?
No, consultation is not a form of therapy.
What can I do to prepare for a consultation session?
The most helpful thing a client can do to prepare for a consultation session is to really understand their own question. Telling your story can bring you back into the trauma of what has happened and sometimes just telling the story can sideswipe the consultation time and leave you feeling disorganized and confused about what you needed in the first place. Writing down key questions and having them during the consultation can keep you on track and getting what you need out of the time together.
What if I need more time?
This issue comes up frequently because many families have complex backgrounds and 2 hours isn’t enough time to discuss the complexities and gain adequate insight into how to move forward- again, each family is different and a standard 1-2 sessions might not be enough and that’s ok. Simply bring up your concerns.