The MQ&A Client Journey

1. When you reach out for therapy, either by phone call or email, our intake coordinator Colleen will return your call. Research shows that goodness-of-fit is a critical predictor of whether therapy will be successful, and Colleen will be careful to identify the best therapist for you (even if this is not with us, or requires a few weeks’ wait.)

2. Colleen will provide you with paperwork that explains practice policies and procedures; we ask that you complete and submit this paperwork at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. The paperwork is pretty extensive and progress doesn’t get saved so please set aside at least 30 minutes of undisturbed time to complete it.

3. Our benefits coordinator, Ashli, will call your insurance company for a benefits check and will email you about the benefits quote prior to your appointment.

4. Your therapist will meet with you for an initial intake (usually via telehealth.) For children, we typically recommend having an initial intake with caregivers only (we find that this allows caregivers to speak more freely about any concerns they may have.) Your therapist will then schedule a second intake with the child only.

5. After intake is complete, your therapist will work with you to identify a treatment plan, which is a written outline of presenting concerns, treatment goals, what strategies your therapist will utilize to reach these goals, and an estimated time frame. At this time, your therapist will also provide referrals to any recommended wraparound services. Nobody heals, changes, or grows in a vacuum, and these services will help build needed environmental support. Wraparound services often include skill groups (we find that skills group participation allows therapy to progress faster because it allows people learn universally helpful, research-supported coping skills outside of individual therapy, so that individual therapy can focus on your unique needs and concerns,) testing, parent sessions, collaboration with school, medication management, and/or family therapy.

6. Because we believe in the importance of ongoing supervision as a tool for learning from each others’ expertise and life experiences, your therapist may consult with the group (without revealing names or other identifying information) about best practices in supporting you or your child. Please let your therapist know at intake if you would prefer that they do not do so.

7. Your therapist will review your treatment plan with you on an ongoing basis (about every six months,) in order to monitor progress and adjust treatment goals as appropriate.

8. When you and your therapist feel that you have reached your goals and are ready to “graduate” from therapy, you will schedule a closing session for reviewing and celebrating all the progress you have made, what you have learned, and how you can maintain your gains moving forward!

And please know: once you are with us, you are with us – our door will never be closed to you. If, after treatment is terminated, you find yourself struggling – please get in touch and you can either come back to therapy, or meet with your clinician for a refresher session or two.