Frequently asked questions
What happens in the first session?
Before the session begins, patients take 10 minutes to fill out paperwork in the waiting room.
During the 50 minute session, we simply have a conversation. I ask you what brings you in and how you would like me to be helpful to you. After discussing with my patients details around their presenting concerns, relevant history, and goals for therapy, I share with them my initial impressions as far as my understanding of their symptoms, as well as my thoughts around treatment.
At the end of the first session, the majority of my patients report feeling more comfortable than they thought they would prior to coming to the appointment.
Why is the first session free of charge?
The first session is free of charge because, in therapy, it is crucial that the client feels comfortable with the therapist. The first session gives you the opportunity for the therapist and patient to meet and to see whether or not the collaboration feels like a comfortable, natural fit. This variable is quite important, as it can impact the overall likelihood of treatment success.
What if I have already seen another therapist and did not feel comfortable?
The dynamic between any two people is completely unique. Even if you feel that prior therapy has not helped or that you did not feel heard by past treatment, it may just be worth giving it another try.
Do you offer weekend appointments?
Yes, I do. I offer appointments on both Saturdays and Sundays.
How does therapy work?
Therapy entails a systematic approach to understanding why certain feelings, thoughts, and relational experiences come about.
The
patient's role is to simply bring in to session those aspects of their experience (e.g., thoughts, feelings, dilemmas, symptoms, etc.) that they would like to work on. The patient shares at the pace at which he/she is comfortable.
The
therapist's role is to conceptualize/understand the patient's experience through systematic analysis of the presented feelings, symptoms, relational experiences.
Theory, technique, and the relational/intersubjective nature of the therapeutic relationship all serve as the therapist's tools in uncovering the path necessary to achieve health and growth for the patient.
Generally speaking, symptoms emerge as part of our
healthy psychological immune system. By signaling a challenge in our inner world, they point us in the direction of health. When symptoms are approached with curiosty and awareness is raised around their origins, the symptoms most often dissipate.
The most important elements in
successful treatment include:
Trust between patient and therapist
Patient's motivation and committment toward therapy
What does Telehealth look like?
Dr. Arslanian has intentionally designed her telehealth practice to be as straightforward and user-friendly as possible. As long as you have an email address, telehealth can be an option for you. There is no need to be fluent in using your computer or any other program to engage in telehealth. Please feel free to direct any specific questions to Dr. Arslanian.