What to Expect
-
Step One: Consultation
Start by scheduling a free consultation. This is typically a 15 minute phone call where we get to know one another a little better and determine how we might work together. The foundation of any therapy is having a good working relationship between the therapist and client. The consultation helps you decide if Kind Start is a good match for you. In this consultation I can answer any questions you might have and we can brainstorm a rough plan for our therapy. You don’t need to decide on booking right away.
-
Step Two: Administration
When you are a new client at Kind Start, there is a New Client Form you must fill out before your first session. This form is sent to you electronically and is quick and easy to fill out from any device. The form asks for some of your basic background information and outlines the Kind Start terms and conditions and confidentiality agreement. Once you submit this form, we can book your first session. Interested in reading the confidentiality agreement? I have listed this information at the bottom of this page.
-
Step Three: Therapy Starts
In our first session, we will outline your goals and make a therapy plan. Doing so helps us make the most out of our sessions together. You can book your therapy appointments by emailing me directly or by logging into the Client Portal. The Client Portal allows you to manage your sessions, view your invoices and receipts, and contact your therapist using Owl's secure messaging system. You pay for each individual session through etransfer send to sara@kindstartpsychotherapy.com
-
Step Four: Ending Therapy
Both of us can choose to end therapy before your planned session end. The only reason I will end therapy early is for abusive behaviour. You can choose to end therapy at any time, but it benefits you most to have a planned ending. Scheduling a final appointment allows us to recap our work together, plan some next steps, and link you to alternative resources when applicable. You can choose to return to therapy anytime, and we can pick up where we left off.
-
Want to Learn More?
Visit the Services page of this website if you would like an educational overview of different therapy models I’m trained in. I will go over all of this information when we meet, but it’s available for you now if you’re curious.
-
More Questions?
You can check my FAQs page if you still have questions about booking, cancelation policies, and insurance coverage. If you still have unanswered questions you can contact me directly through email or phone.
Confidentiality
Everything shared in our sessions is completely confidential. I use Owl and Business Zoom to run Kind Start Psychotherapy. Both of these systems are secure and approved by HIPAA to store confidential health information. I don’t keep any hard copies of your information, which adds another layer of protection to your confidentiality and protects your information from accidental damage like a fire or a crashed computer. All psychotherapists have a “duty to report” in certain ethical situations. This means that your therapist is legally obligated to break confidentiality and contact appropriate resources needed to protect your safety or someone else’s. These are the 5 instances where therapists have a duty to report:
If you are planning on seriously harming yourself or another person.
Any instance of child abuse where the youth in question is currently under 18 years-old.
If there is a known child-abuser who currently has access or the ability to harm youth.
If my notes are subpoenaed by a court of law.
If you have experienced abusive behaviour from another health-care provider.
The Client Portal includes secure private messaging between you and your therapist. If you have any personal information to share with your therapist outside of a session, you can use this platform to connect. Owl’s messaging system is more secure that sending personal information through email. You can also view your appointment history, invoices, and receipts through the Client Portal.