Usually, your first contact with Process Therapy Institute will be a short, free-of-charge Discovery session. To find out more about that, click here. Once you have decided which PTI program is a fit for your, the next step is an assessment session.
   The assessment is an opportunity for both therapist and client to determine whether or not they want to establish a therapist-client relationship. What follows is a step by step accounting of what might happen in an assessment session.

The Initial Contact

• A student therapist will connect with you on the phone.
• They will introduce themselves as the therapist from PTI assigned to do the assessment with you.
• They will confirm with you the day, date and time of your first, assessment appointment.
• They may ask you if they have any questions.
• They will establish the assessment fee with you.
• If you are a mirror client, the assessment session is not one of the 10 mirror sessions.
• They will arrange the fee for the counseling sessions.
• They may invite you to come to the session 10-15 minutes early the first time, to read and to sign forms.
• They will give their phone number and their extension number.

At the Assessment session
     You will asked to read and to sign a number of forms including an Informed Consent Agreement, plus what is essentially a permission form for the counselor to videotape his/her sessions with you.
     You will be invited to introduce yourself if you have not already done so in the waiting room. The therapist will give you information about him/herself, the institute, and the counseling program.

The Basics
     A fee will be set for continuing sessions.
     Dates and times of your counseling appointments will be confirmed.
     The expectation that you keep the commitment to show up each time for the 10 weeks will be reviewed.
     You may be introduced to the supervisor at any time during this introduction phase.
     You will have the opportunity to ask any questions regarding the forms you have signed.

Demographics
     Names, email address, phone number(s), mailing address, birthdate, age, etc. will be asked and recorded.

Your presenting issue
      "What brought you to counseling?"
     "Tell me why you are here."
     "What are you hoping to accomplish?"
      Whether you come as an individual, a couple, a family, or a group, each person in the room will have an opportunity to share his/her perspective of the issues.

You will be invited to determine a goal for treatment

History taking
     You will be asked a series of questions to help us facilitate your therapy.

Medical History
     Medical conditions that might affect the therapy or your ability to attend sessions, such as epilepsy, diabetes, back pain, recent or pending surgery, etc.

Abuse History
     Current or past substance use/abuse which might impact the therapy. Treatment?
     Past or present physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.

Psychological History
     Any previous therapeutic treatment that would be relevant or interruptive to the therapy.
     Any treatment with other providers. We will probably wonder why you are not continuing with that/those persons(s).
     Any hospitalizations? What for, where and for how long.
     Any suicide attempts? When and how?
     Any current medications? Prescribing physician?

Referrals
     You may be given some referrals to adjunctive programs or professionals that might supplement your psychotherapeutic work, such as: an attorney, "anonymous" meetings (alcoholics, over-eaters, etc.), classes, out-patient drug programs, physician, psychiatrist, support groups, therapy groups, vocational counseling, hotlines, crisis lines, hospital, inpatient drug treatment programs.

The therapist will invite you to experience the kind of therapy we do
     The assessment is to assist us in gathering information about our compatibility to work together. We wish you to experience the way we do therapy before you make a commitment to us.

Any questions?
     You will be asked for any further questions you have about the therapist, the therapy, or the program.
     You will be invited to share anything more you want to share about yourself before ending this assessment session.

The closing
     You will be asked to pay for the session. We take cash, checks or credit cards.
     You will be asked to make a determination if you wish to continue therapy sessions together. If you do not want to decide at that time, let your therapist know how you will proceed.

Return to the "Personal Growth Services" page.