What Is Counseling Like?

The first session:

The first session of counseling is where we start building your treatment plan, deciding on your goal for counseling. You should ask yourself, "What do I want to get out of this work? How is my life now, and how do I want it to be?" Talking through these goals in our first session will help to shape our work together.

Goals for you, or goals for your child?

This process can look a little different when you bring in your child or teen for counseling. Does your child need help with anger management? Is your teen avoiding you at home? As an individual therapist, I work one-on-one with your child, but I want to provide you with tools as well. And sometimes, going to counseling because of your concerns brings up issues for you as well.

Getting your feedback, each session.

Most importantly, I check in with you each session to see if we are reaching your goals. For your child, I ask them how they feel like things are going for them at the beginning of each session to tease out their concerns - and to help them understand that things need to change. At the end of each session, I ask how they felt I did - how was my listening? How important was what we did today? By tailoring my approach to them, and to you, we can reach goals more effectively.

Curious to hear more, or are you a little reluctant about counseling? Compassionate Counseling St. Louis provides specialized anxiety and anger management therapy for kids, teens, and college students. We work in Clayton, MO and serve kids, teens, and college students throughout St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Ladue, University City, Town and Country, Webster Groves, Creve Coeur, Kirkwood, Richmond Heights, and Brentwood. You can set up your free phone screening to see if we’re a good fit for your needs right on our website.