What to Expect When You Book Treatment
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CONSULTATION
Clients and parents are invited to start with a free 20-minute consultation. During this time, you can share your concerns and needs while learning about the services offered at Therapy SoCal. We will work with you to identify and match you with the therapist best suited to your unique situation. If our services are not the right fit, we will gladly provide referrals to connect you with an appropriate provider.
ASSESSMENT PHASE
If you choose to move forward, we will begin the assessment phase by scheduling a two-hour intake session. For children, this initial session typically involves the parents and the therapist only. During the assessment phase, we collect information through the clinical interview, assessment measures, and any collaterals you authorize us to contact, such as teachers or other therapists. The assessment phase usually takes 2–4 sessions, depending on the complexity of your case. For children, the second session is generally a one-on-one meeting between the child and therapist to build rapport and gather additional information.
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DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT PLANNING
Once the assessment phase is complete, your therapist will schedule a feedback session to review your or your child’s diagnosis and collaborate with you on a personalized treatment plan. During this session, we will explain the most effective, evidence-based approaches for addressing the symptoms and stressors you or your child are experiencing. We will recommend treatments supported by clinical research to promote healing and recovery, and work with you to create a plan with real-world benchmarks that are meaningful to you. As part of this process, we often ask, “If therapy were working, what would be different in your or your child’s life?” Your answer helps guide the development of clear, individualized treatment goals.
TREATMENT PHASE
Once the diagnosis and treatment plan are agreed upon, we will recommend the frequency of sessions (typically weekly) and provide an estimated duration of services so you can plan accordingly. Treatment then begins, during which we implement the agreed-upon plan and periodically reassess progress to ensure we are moving toward the established goals.
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MAINTENANCE PHASE
Once all treatment goals have been achieved, we will discuss transitioning to the maintenance phase of therapy. During this phase, you or your child typically demonstrate a strong level of confidence in your skills and overall progress. Sessions are often reduced to bi-weekly and then monthly to support ongoing maintenance of the gains made in therapy. Your therapist will collaborate with you to schedule a graduation date and celebrate your accomplishments.