The first visit…
Here at Firm Foundations, we know that no two persons or two families are the same. Thus, we begin the counseling process with a comprehensive assessment. This assessment helps our clinicians gain a thorough understanding of the presenting problems and what the client wants to achieve through the counseling process. Once the assessment is completed, your clinician will review the results with you, and, together, you will decide on the best course of treatment.
Counseling for Children & Teens
Finding the right counsel for your child or teen can be a difficult process. Ensuring that the counselor is a person you can trust and someone that would work well with your child is of the utmost importance. We encourage parents, especially those of younger children, to utilize our free phone consultation option prior to scheduling their first visit. Like our adult services, each clinician uses an approach that is both evidenced based and sensitive to the child’s specific needs. Moreover, we are aware that some children and teens can be resistant to counseling at first. We strive to make our office a place your child will enjoy and want to come back to again and again.
Counseling Services for Adults
Adults seek counseling for a variety of reasons; reasons can include issues like depression, anxiety, or help with major life decisions like careers. Whatever the reason, our staff believe in using a collaborative, non-judgmental approach to counseling. All of our clinicians utilize evidenced based practices tailored to each client’s needs. Those practices include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Therapy, Dialectic Behavior Therapy, etc.
Counseling for Couples
Whether you are an engaged couple seeking premarital counseling, a seasoned couple looking to enhance your relationship, or a couple who is considering separation, our trained and skilled couples therapist can help. Our couples therapist utilizes two of the most evidenced based approaches for helping couples succeed. Most information about those approaches can be found at the sites below.
Care Coordination and Advocacy
In order to promote your overall health, wellness, and independence, our providers are trained to integrate their efforts with your primary and specialty care physicians as well as any social service providers. Moreover, we are passionate about seeing our clients have all the resources they need. Expect any provider you see at Firm Foundations to assist and help you gain access to needed health care, housing, employment, social, education and other services you may need to reach full wellness and independence.
Our Treatment Process for Adults
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Getting Started: The Diagnostic Assessment
Your care begins as soon as you complete your intake paperwork. This includes questions that help us understand the symptoms you are experiencing. Our clinical team reviews your responses before your first appointment.
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Your First Visit
At your first session, your clinician will explore your symptoms in more detail — when they began, how they affect your daily life, and how they impact your family. This helps us get a clear and thorough understanding of what’s going on.
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Setting Goals & Creating a Treatment Plan
Once the assessment is complete, you and your clinician will create a treatment plan together. You’ll discuss your goals and what you hope will improve through counseling. Your clinician will recommend an evidence-based approach tailored to your needs.
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Ongoing Progress Reviews
As treatment continues, your clinician will regularly check in with you to assess progress and adjust the plan if needed. When your goals have been met, you’ll work together to create a plan for ending treatment and moving forward.
Questions?
We want you to feel informed and supported. If you have any questions about the treatment process, please bring them to your first session. Your clinician will go over everything in more detail.
Our Treatment Process for Children and Families
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Getting Started: The Diagnostic Assessment
Your child’s care begins with a comprehensive diagnostic assessment. This process starts when you complete the intake paperwork, which includes questions to help us understand the symptoms your child is experiencing. Our clinical team carefully reviews this information before your first appointment.
A parent or guardian must be present for the diagnostic assessment. At the first session, your clinician will gather detailed information about your child’s symptoms, when they began, and how they are affecting your child’s daily life and your family as a whole.
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Treatment Planning & Parent Involvement
After the assessment, your clinician will work with you and your child to create a treatment plan. You’ll discuss your goals for therapy and what you hope will improve as a result. Your clinician will recommend an evidence-based approach based on your child’s needs.
During this phase, your clinician will also explain how you’ll be involved in your child’s treatment. Successful outcomes in child therapy rely heavily on parent and family participation. Depending on your child’s age and concerns, this may include regular check-ins, joint sessions, or skill-building support at home.
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Ongoing Progress & Discharge Planning
As treatment continues, your clinician will review progress with you regularly to ensure your child is on track. Once treatment goals are met, you’ll work together on a plan for transitioning out of therapy.
Questions?
We’re here to help. If you have any questions about the process, feel free to ask your clinician during your first visit. They’ll go over everything with you in more detail.