Welcome. As you consider entering into counseling with me, there are some things that I would like you to know.

I believe that relationships are the heart of life. In order to have positive, healthy relationships with others, we need to start with a positive healthy relationship with ourselves. This would include knowing yourself, accepting yourself as you are, as well as working towards changing aspects of yourself with which you are not comfortable.

You and I will work as a team in our counseling relationship. Our roles will be different, and we will work on setting and achieving goals together. In order to reach our chosen goals, you may find yourself sharing some very personal information. This information will be kept confidential, except if I think that you are in danger of hurting yourself, or someone else, or if I suspect that child is being abused.

The rewards of counseling are many, and there may be some challenges along the way. Some of what you disclose and discover may be unfamiliar and uncomfortable. This is a risk of the counseling process. Other areas that may be affected are your relationships with other people. Some individuals may not be comfortable with your changing, and this may create some tension. Please bring such situations to my attention, so that I can help you work through the in a beneficial manner.

Although you are free to leave counseling at any time, it would be advantageous to bring the idea up I our sessions, so that we may explore the topic. This will help to make the transition much smoother and we can allow for closure.

To let you know a little more about me, I earned my undergraduate degree from Eastern Michigan University. I majored in Physical Education, and taught elementary gym classes for 10 years. In December of 2000, I completed my Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling from EMU, and have been in private practice since April of 2001.

Counseling sessions are generally 50 minutes, and are often scheduled on a weekly basis, varying with individual circumstances. The fee for each session is $70, and payment is due at the time of the session. Missed appointments without a 24-hour notice will have to be paid for, except in the case of genuine emergencies.

Please feel free to bring your concerns to me at any time, and know that I am looking forward to working with you.