Send me a message with a couple of times you’re generally available and whether you prefer online or in-person. And if writing that message already feels like a lot, keep it short and sweet: “Hi Djahane, I’d like to book a first session. Here’s my availability…” That’s enough.

I don’t. And with (what I believe is) good reason. A quick, 15-minute call will never be sufficient for getting a good idea of fit - and I’d suggest being wary of those who say otherwise! Mostly, it just stresses both of us out because we’re under time pressure.

Therapy is a relationship. The big things that people really want to know when it comes to therapy -  “Do I feel safe? Do I feel understood? Does this person get me?” - can’t be answered properly in a rushed call. So instead, our first meeting is a full session, with time to arrive, talk, ask questions, and actually feel into whether this is the right fit for both of us. 

All three are possible: in-person, online (secure video), or a hybrid mix. Some people strongly prefer one. Others mix both depending on travel, childcare, or what simply works that week.

We decide the pace together based on your goals, your schedule, and what feels workable. Most people start with weekly sessions, or every two weeks, so we build real momentum. Less frequent than that tends to make it harder to develop continuity.

The honest answer is: it depends. Some people feel relief quickly, simply because they stop carrying everything alone. Others notice change more gradually, especially if the patterns are long-standing. Think of it this way: you’ve spent 35, 48, 54, maybe 86 years developing these survival strategies to protect yourself. It’s going to take a while to shift them. 

That said, I don’t like therapy to feel vague or endless, so we keep it structured: the first session is about fit and clarity. Sessions two through five are an opportunity to find our footing (we build a shared understanding of what’s going on and what you want for yourself). After that, we’ll likely reach a natural point to review and reassess how our work is going and how we want to continue together. 

In some ways, it looks like most therapy: you come in, sit down, and start talking. Often it’s stuff from your everyday life: you’re snapping at your child and don’t like who you are in that moment. Your boss triggers you and you can’t switch off. You’re dating and feel hopeless about real connection… Then we explore two things: what do you want for yourself around this dynamic? And what might be getting in the way of it? The exploration part is the heart of the therapeutic work, because often we’re not aware of the patterns and strategies that are preventing us from moving forward until we slow things down enough to reflect on them. We work with thoughts, emotions, relationship patterns, and what your body is doing in real time, at your pace. And yes, NARM is body-based but probably not in the way you’re imagining. (For more on what body-based actually looks like — see the Body-Based Therapy page.)

The first session is a chance to meet and see if we’re a good fit. I’ll want to hear a little about you, and what brings you here now. We’ll talk about what you want to get out of therapy, what you’ve tried before and what helped or didn’t, and any patterns you’ve noticed — emotionally, relationally, or in your body. I’ll also explain how I work; you can ask any questions you might have and we can both feel into whether it’s a good fit.

And remember - Not every therapist is the right therapist for every person. That doesn’t mean anything is wrong; it just means we’re human. If it doesn’t feel like a fit, I’m happy to recommend others. My goal is for everyone who comes to my office to find the help they need - whether that’s with me, or someone else.

If we decide to continue together, I’ll send you a short intake form (so I can get a bit more context) and a simple client agreement covering some of the key aspects of our work together such as my cancellation policy, confidentiality, and data protection, etc.