What happens in the first session?

We will initially meet for one hour to discuss your situation, what you are looking for and what I can offer you as well as the frequency of sessions and fees. We will then make a mutual decision about whether we wish to work together and if so to arrange a regular time to meet.

How does therapy work?

You and I will need to develop a "working" relationship, one that will be gentle and supportive but challenging, as well. I will seek to understand you and to personally know you well. We may examine how you relate to yourself internally and to others externally. In therapy you may choose to work on your present day relationships and experiences in life. You may also want to better understand how your past relates to your present so that you can break free from unhealthy patterns of living. It may be your hope to improve the quality of a relationship or to heal from a past destructive or abusive one.

You will probably be invited to examine how you want to be different and to set goals that you want to achieve so that the structure and content of the sessions will reflect your goals at a pace that is healthy for you. Some choose to set short-term goals which can be achieved in a few sessions, while others prefer long term in-depth work designed to break unhealthy patterns of living and to establish new and better ones.

Will I feel better by just talking?

Some people feel better by being able to talk to someone outside the family who is neutral and will really listen, knowing that what they say is confidential. Other people need to be willing to question, reflect and challenge their own beliefs and feelings and take appropriate risks to endeavor, experiment, and explore. This is the core of your job as a client. A therapist's job is to provide you with a respectful, reliable and safe space within which you can do this.

Are our conversations confidential?

I strictly adhere to all legal and ethical guide lines concerning client - counselor confidentiality. I am committed to safeguarding your trust and to ensuring that all calls, emails, and counseling sessions are treated with the utmost sensitivity and privacy. I am legally bound to report issues of elder or child abuse/neglect, and threats involving intention to harm self or others.

What about fees?

Fees for counseling services should be discussed prior to scheduling an appointment. While I do not participate with any health insurance providers, "out of network" mental health benefits may be available, depending upon the provisions of your insurance plan. Please check with your insurance carrier prior to scheduling an appointment to determine if your seeing a Licensed Professional Counselor is eligible for insurance reimbursement. Payment for services are expected at the completion of each session. Receipts will be issued at the time of payment. A fee may be assessed for sessions cancelled without 24-hour notice and for missed appointments.

Where are you located?

My office is located at 31 South Finley Avenue - Suite 201 in Basking Ridge, NJ, 07920.

How do I contact you?

You can contact me by e-mail (Glenn@GlennMurphyCounseling.com) or telephone (908-249-3159). I will try to return your call promptly, during which time I will seek to gain a brief understanding of your need so as to assess whether I am the best resource for you. If we both agree to proceed we will arrange a first appointment.