Frequently Asked Questions

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Therapy is a space for anyone seeking support, personal growth, or guidance in overcoming challenges. Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma, or relationship issues, therapy can provide tools to navigate life more effectively.

You can schedule an appointment by emailing us or using the contact form on our website. We’re here to support you at every step.

We ask that you provide at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Late cancellations or no-shows may incur a fee.

At First Thought Therapy, we take your privacy seriously. All information shared in therapy sessions is confidential and will not be shared with anyone without your explicit consent. 

Limits of Confidentiality
Therapy sessions are confidential, meaning what you share stays private. However, there are legal exceptions:

1. Harm Risk: If you’re at risk of harming yourself or others, your therapist must act to ensure safety.
2. Abuse Reporting: Therapists must report suspected abuse or neglect of children, elders, or vulnerable adults.
3. Court Orders: If required by a court, therapists may have to release records or provide testimony.

These exceptions are to protect you and others. Your therapist will clarify confidentiality and its limits in your first session.

Your first session is a time to share your concerns and goals with your therapist. We’ll gather background information, discuss what brought you to therapy, and start building a collaborative plan for addressing your needs.

The length of therapy varies depending on individual goals and circumstances. Some clients achieve their objectives in a few months, while others may benefit from longer-term support. We’ll work together to determine what’s best for you.

Therapy focuses on emotional healing and mental health through structured sessions with a licensed therapist. Case management focuses on practical support, resource coordination, and daily functioning. Many clients benefit from both.

Your case manager will help you set goals, coordinate appointments, navigate benefits (like Medicaid or SSI), search for housing and transportation resources, and advocate for your needs across systems.

Most clients meet with their case manager weekly or biweekly. Depending on need and location, we offer flexible in-person, phone, or virtual check-ins based on your needs.

It’s a professional assessment written by a licensed mental health provider to support immigration cases such as asylum, hardship waivers, VAWA, U-Visa, T-Visa, N-648, or Adam Walsh Waivers. These evaluations explain the emotional and psychological impact of your immigration situation.

You will complete 1–2 clinical interviews, standardized assessments (as needed), and receive a detailed written report prepared for your immigration attorney and USCIS. Evaluations are confidential and trauma-informed.

No, you can contact us directly. However, we strongly recommend working with an immigration attorney, and we’re happy to coordinate with your legal team.