What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Whether you are looking for a counselor who is a better fit than your current one or taking a shot at counseling for the first time, it’s not abnormal to be hesitant, nervous, or curious about what spiritual direction or psychotherapy will be like. This is very normal and we will work together to create a comfortable, welcoming, and supportive experience.

Virtual Appointments:

At this time, Dr. Thaddaeus only takes virtual appointments via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other virtual meeting apps.

30 Minutes Free of Charge

All interested clients can book a free 30 minute appointment. No intake paperwork is required for free appointments. If the 30 minutes goes well, make a donation of $50 to support my counseling ministry!

Life Coaching Sessions:

The goal of life coaching is to dive aggressively into goals and the plans to achieve them. Life coaching is not counseling but the application of best practices. Life coaching focuses not on the past but on the future. Whatever your goal is, I can support you! Just tell me what you need and I’ll get to it.

The First Counseling Session:

Your first session is called an intake or assessment. Before the first appointment you will complete some intake paperwork. Upon registering, you will be able to download an intake packet before your appointment. The beginning of the first session will cover confidentiality and policies, answer any questions, and ask you to sign a consent for treatment. We will then discuss why you are seeking help and what your general background is.

Over the first few sessions we will develop a common understanding of your history, current situation, strengths, background, support networks, and the various areas of life that may be contributing to your desire for help. Many aspects of life are common to all but the actual context of each person's life in a particular time, phase, or chapter is very unique. So the more context developed, the more specific guidance can be given.

The first few sessions are also a time to set goals which will be reviewed in time and reevaluated as needed. It is the goal of every devoted pastoral counselor to identify the most direct path to goals as possible.

Often clients begin to feel better after only a first sessions. Sometimes this is because they feel heard and understood for the first in a long time. Others feel this because they are able to discuss concerns in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Most often it is the nearly immediate defeat of the sense of isolation. "I'm not alone in my struggles any more." Many begin to gain self understanding from the very first session.

What if I am on medications or wonder if I need them?

As part of the intake I will ask you what medications you are currently taking. If you need a new prescriber or an evaluation to see if you are a candidate for medication, I will be happy to give you a referral to an appropriate psychiatrist or medical doctor.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

The speed of therapy depends on various things such as the intensity and the number of issues that need to be addressed, as well as the effort spent in working through the issues. We will begin talking more about ending the sessions when such services are no longer required or no longer serve your needs or interests. On an ongoing basis we will talk about what works and doesn’t work for you. We’ll check your progress against your goals: Did you accomplish what you expected? Do you have other areas that still need to be discussed or did you grow in areas of your life that you did not initially expect? Change and growth are ongoing processes in life. As you move through barriers you will gain tools that you can use on your own after treatment is over. The client decides how long to participate and can also return after a time of having had no appointments.

Fees:

Fees are the same for pastoral counseling, life coaching, first responder support, and spiritual direction. Regular 50-minute sessions are $79 if purchased one at a time. Purchases of two appointments earn 10% off. Four or more appointments purchased at one earn 20% off. This is a very low cost compared to most pastoral counselors with the experience and training Dr. Thaddaeus offers.

Low income members of faith communities are encouraged to seek financial assistance from their priest or pastor, as well as from charities, non-profits, and county or state counseling support programs. Churches, faith communities, and non-profits may mail tax-deductible, client-specific donations to:

Tri-Unity Systems, c/o St. Xenia LLC

20850 S Lewis Ave.

Mounds OK 74047

Payment Type:

Payment is accepted by standard debit and credit cards via PayPal.

Insurance:

No payments via health insurance are accepted at this time. Statements can be provided for submissions for insurance reimbursement.