Cool Creek Counseling, LLC counseling and play therapy in Lancaster County, PA

Julie Simmons Counseling - Getting Started Page

After a brief phone consultation our first session together will be information gathering and rapport building. Learn what to expect here.

Getting Started

contact form:

Our initial interaction will begin when you reach out to us via our “contact today” web form. This will help us to connect about the basics to make sure we would be an initial good fit for one another. Please be sure to include your insurance and general information. Our intake coordinator will then email you to connect further.

The first step is to reach out! You can fill out the contact form today.

Consultation:

From the contact form and after initial email connection, our office will either give you a call or connect further by email to go over details and ensure that one of our therapists will be a good match. You can share a bit more about what is bringing you in for therapy (as much as you’re comfortable sharing) as well as ask any questions you might have. At the end of our conversation, we can decide if scheduling a session is the next best step. If so, insurance information will be gathered, if you will be using insurance, and we will schedule your initial intake session/ongoing sessions.

First session:

If you are a teen or over 18: Your initial intake will be information gathering with your new therapist- discussing family history, concerns bringing you to counseling, and strengths.  We will also review and sign any necessary paperwork and discuss scheduling for future sessions.  

If you are a parent/caregiver bringing your child in for counseling and they are 11 or under, your first appointment will be just with you, as the parents/caregiver.  This will allow us to get relevant family history and discuss any concerns without having to “talk in code.” We will also review and sign a few forms. We will discuss the education behind play/art therapy and what to expect for future sessions. If you feel you are unable to leave your child/siblings at home during this intake please discuss this with us and we can determine options for this. Please also see Play Therapy to find out more about your sessions.

If your child is 12 or over you may bring them to the intake. Your therapist will likely spend time with you both, parent/caregiver separate and then your teen individually.

tele-Therapy (online video sessions):

If you will be starting through video sessions (discussed and agreed upon during our initial consult) you will receive a secure link with forms to review and e-sign prior to our initial intake appointment. You will also receive information on how to access our secure video session. Much like an in person appointment, your initial intake will be focused on getting to know one another, discussing relevant history and reasons for getting started in counseling, as well as exploring goals.