First Appointment
Common questions about how to prepare and what to expect.
Scheduling an Appointment
How Do I Schedule an Appointment?
We offer two convenient options to request a new appointment:
- Fill out our online appointment request form anytime.
- Call the office during business hours at 847-310-8578.
How Do I Choose a Therapy Practice?
Choosing a therapy practice is a personal decision based on your goals, personality type, expectations, and previous therapy experiences.
Some common factors include:
- Whether the practice offers telehealth appointments
- The size of the practice
- The location of the practice
- The experience of the therapists
- The availability of the therapists
- Whether your insurance is in network
Have questions? Fill out our online request form or give us a call at 847-310-8578
How Can I Make My Therapist Preference Known?
Telehealth Appointments
What Do I Need to Have a Telehealth Appointment?
Most patients already have all they need to have a successful telehealth appointment, including:
- A strong Wifi connection (please do not use cell phone data, if possible)
- A computer or phone capable of connecting to a camera or a microphone
- A quiet and distraction-free environment to have your appointment
How Do I Prepare for a Telehealth Appointment?
Preparing for a telehealth appointment includes:
- Finding a quiet and safe environment where you can talk freely without interruption.
- Ensuring that you have a strong Wifi connection. Moving closer to your router will help.
- Closing other applications in order to optimize the connection.
- If you have not restarted your computer in a while, it may be a good idea to do so before beginning the video call.
- Use headphones to avoid feedback or additional “noise.”
- Log in to the call early and use the program’s pre-call test to identify issues prior to the appointment beginning.
More information on preparing for your telehealth appointment>>
How Are Telehealth Visits Billed?
Telehealth visits can be billed through your insurance in the same way as an in-person appointment. There is virtually no difference for the patient in terms of receiving the bill or paying its balance.
Are Telehealth Appointments Covered by Insurance?
Before the Appointment
How Should I Prepare for My First Therapy Appointment?
You are welcome to come exactly as you are to your first therapy appointment.
Considering some of the questions below may help you begin to frame what you are looking to get out of your time:
- What are your goals? Keep them realistic and categorize them by “short term” and “long term.” For example, a short-term goal might be to learn how to “quiet your mind” at night, while a long-term goal could be to overcome panic attacks altogether.
- What type of relationship would you like to have with your therapist? This is something you can communicate with them once you feel comfortable.
- What topics would you like to focus on first? Organizing these prior to your appointment may help direct the conversation and make sure that your needs are being met from day one.
- Come with questions for your therapist! It’s totally normal for you to ask your therapist a few questions about their practice and their goals. This is a partnership!
It is also a good idea to bring your calendar or schedule so that you can set up your next appointment before you leave.
How Long Will My First Therapy Appointment Take?
During the Appointment
What Questions Should I Expect During a Therapy Appointment?
Your therapist will ask you about your goals, the issues you want to address, your symptoms and your background.
Be prepared for your therapist to prompt you to think about situations with a new perspective. This is to help you reframe scenarios – positive and negative – and to help you explore them with a neutral perspective.
Should I Ask Questions During a Therapy Appointment?
Of course! If it is your first appointment, you are encouraged to ask the therapist questions about their practice, their experience and their goals.
Some common questions may include:
- How often and for how long do you anticipate seeing me?
- What does a typical appointment look like? Can I expect all appointments to be the same?
- What in-session exercises do you use to better understand your patients?
- Do you complete any specific personality or psychological testing?
- How do you determine whether or not I will need to see a psychiatrist?
- What areas do you specialize in?
- Can I expect any homework/at-home exercises? What will these be?
Beyond that, you may of course always ask questions in order to clarify something you haven’t understood or would like to understand more thoroughly.
Will I Be Prescribed Medication at My Therapy Session?
Therapists do not prescribe medication for their patients. If it is determined that medication or testing could benefit you, a referral will be made to another specialist.