Starting Your Journey to Healing: What to Expect During Your First Visit at BrainBody OCD Counseling
Taking the first step toward therapy can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when dealing with challenges like Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and anxiety. At BrainBody OCD Counseling, we understand the emotions that come with beginning your therapeutic journey. Our goal is to make your first visit welcoming, informative, and as supportive as possible. Here's what you can expect during your initial intake session.
A Warm Welcome
From the moment you step through our doors, you’ll find a comforting and supportive environment. Our team is here to help you feel at ease and address any immediate concerns. Therapy is a collaborative process, and we want to establish a foundation for a strong and trusting partnership from the very beginning.
Free Treatment Consultation
Before you come in for your first full session, you’ll have the opportunity to speak with an OCD specialist for a free, 10-minute phone consultation. During this call, we’ll discuss your goals for therapy and explore how our services can best meet your needs. This allows us to ensure that we’re the right fit for you, and you can ask any initial questions you might have. If you’re ready to move forward, we’ll schedule your intake session, or you can take some time to decide.
Comprehensive Diagnostic Assessment
When you come in for your intake session, we’ll begin with a thorough diagnostic assessment. This conversation helps us get to know you better, your struggles, and your goals for therapy. We’ll explore:
The nature and intensity of your OCD and anxiety symptoms
Your emotional health, daily habits, and relationships
Any previous mental health diagnoses, treatments, or medications
How OCD is affecting your daily life, including work, school, or personal relationships
This detailed assessment helps us create a tailored treatment plan that will address your unique needs.
Completing the Y-BOCS
To gain a deeper understanding of your OCD, we may administer the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) at your intake session or during your second visit. This widely-used tool helps us assess:
The types of obsessions and compulsions you’re experiencing
The frequency, intensity, and impact of your symptoms
Your baseline symptoms to track your progress throughout therapy
The Y-BOCS is a valuable tool in creating an evidence-based approach to your care, ensuring we measure your progress effectively.
Developing a Treatment Plan
After gathering all necessary information, we’ll work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan. This plan will outline:
Therapeutic Goals: Whether you’re looking to reduce symptoms, gain coping skills, or improve your quality of life, we’ll tailor your goals to your specific needs.
Recommended Interventions: We’ll use evidence-based therapies like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT), or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you reach your goals.
Timeline and Structure: We’ll discuss how often you’ll meet with your therapist and what to expect in each session.
We’ll take the time to answer any questions you have about the therapy process, ensuring you feel confident and well-prepared for the journey ahead.
Next Steps
By the end of your first visit, you’ll have a clear understanding of your diagnosis and a roadmap for treatment. This is your chance to ask any remaining questions or share any additional thoughts that may help shape your care. Depending on how much time is spent gathering your history, the intake may continue into your next session.
Why Choose BrainBody OCD Counseling?
At BrainBody OCD Counseling, we specialize in treating OCD with compassion, expertise, and evidence-based methods. From your first visit, you’ll feel our commitment to helping you navigate challenges and rediscover hope for the future.
If you’re ready to take the first step, fill out our new patient inquiry form to schedule your free treatment consultation. Relief from OCD is possible, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
