What to Expect

INTAKE

If my therapeutic approaches and expertise seem to match your preferences and treatment goals, please complete my Contact Form to start the intake process.

Following this, you will receive an email with a link to complete your intake forms and instructions on how to arrange for an initial appointment through the online booking system.

Please check your spam or junk mail folder if you do not receive an email.

Please note that I always recommend clients start with weekly or fortnightly frequency. In the early stages of therapy, it’s generally important to have a consistent rhythm — usually weekly or fortnightly sessions for at least the first six months — in order to build momentum and work meaningfully towards the treatment goals clients have. The work of therapy requires time, consistency, and trust; and therapy tends to be much less effective when conducted on an ad hoc basis, especially early on.

If finding that kind of regularity isn’t possible right now given your other commitments, it may be that this isn’t the right time to engage with me.

FIRST SESSION

Sessions are 50 minutes and can be conducted in person or via telehealth. The remaining 10 minutes is used for your record-keeping and treatment planning.

During our first session, we will focus on developing a shared understanding of your concerns and goals. We will also discuss how I can help you. I like to hear about any previous therapy experiences, how you feel safe in these sessions and what you are expecting from therapy.

Building trust takes time, so it’s normal to feel some nervousness before our first session. By the end of our session, we’ll likely have a sense of whether we are a good fit.

How you feel in the session is absolutely important for us to discuss. You’re encouraged to ask any questions about the therapy process.

If your situation requires expertise beyond my scope, I will provide you with options for suitable alternative services.

COUPLES THERAPY

[Please note that Kaki Psychology is pausing the provision of couples therapy services]

Couples therapy sessions also last 50 mins but are structured and priced differently.

In-person appointments are required for couples during initial sessions for a more effective treatment.

You’ll meet me

  • First as a couple for our first assessment

  • You will each complete a Gottman Assessment before your individual sessions

  • Then meet me individually

  • Lastly for a feedback session as a couple

You’ll then continue to meet me as a couple, with individual sessions as needed.

These sessions will start off more intensive, ideally weekly to fortnightly for a few months to effectively support you with your goals.

IN THERAPY

For your sessions, it is helpful to come with an idea of what you’d like to discuss, including continuing on our previous session discussion, and/or your experience implementing our discussed strategies or between-session homework. Often, the things you don’t want to talk about may be the very things you should. Reflective practice between sessions is helpful for this.

However, avoid extensive preparation. Therapy is not meant to be evaluative, and should serve your interests and needs. You are highly encouraged to bring up any concerns about what to talk about in therapy, how to approach it or how it is going. Being open and honest about your experience will ensure you get the most out of your sessions.

Processes that tend to happen in sessions include:

Observing and Interrupting

  • Observing your default patterns of thinking, feeling, behaving

  • Observing emotions that surface for you during our session

  • Gently interrupting your common reactions or defenses to create awareness of unconscious factors

Understanding and Connecting

  • Collaboratively eliciting insights about your core struggle

  • Connecting the links between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours

  • Understanding your relationship dynamic with others

Clarifying and Challenging

  • Identifying triggers and repeating patterns that perpetuate your challenges

  • Clarifying beliefs and assumptions, gently challenging them if needed

  • Uncovering subtle connections between separate issues by finding common themes

Attending and Validating

  • Validating and tending to your emotional needs

  • Developing compassion for yourself and a gentler way of speaking to yourself

  • Deepening your presence with your emotions

Developing and Increasing

  • Developing helpful skills, strategies, and practical solutions

  • Increasing your resources by introducing materials or by improving your resourcefulness

  • Highlighting your strengths

Practising and Maintaining

  • Planning activities between sessions to practise your new skills/insights

  • Discussing progress, celebrating wins and resolving barriers