What can I expect from my first session?

Beginning therapy can feel daunting. Marissa’s priority is to create a space where you feel safe, respected and understood. Marissa believes lasting change comes through curiosity rather than judgement, and works collaboratively with each person to understand how past experiences have shaped the present. 

In the initial session Marissa is focused on listening to you ensuring you are feeling heard whilst gathering information and working together to set achievable goals. After the initial session Marissa will then spend time developing a treatment plan to best achieve your goals. Marissa understands it is crucial to work collaboratively with her clients and values their input, ideas and feedback throughout the therapeutic process.

The therapeutic process will be different for each person however typically involves talking, exploring past and/or present concerns and implementing evidence-based strategies to assist you to achieve your goals. When talking to a psychologist you will experience non-judgemental support and deep listening, with a focus on you and your needs.  For many people this process creates a sense of feeling heard and understood and helps them to understand themselves better and gain clarity.

Absolutely. For many people traumatic childhood experiences can have substantial impact on their adult life including in relationships with others, self-worth and emotional regulation. Understanding the impact of trauma, particularly complex trauma and working to process experiences can provide a profound sense of healing, even if it has been many years. 

EMDR is a widely accepted, evidence-based treatment approach which utilises bilateral stimulation (usually through eye movements) to support processing of traumatic memories. Processing traumatic memories with EMDR can assist in integrating traumatic memories with other non-traumatic memories to support decreased sensitivity/distress. 

Yes there are robust therapeutic approaches available to support people with personality vulnerabilities or those diagnosed with personality disorders such as borderline personality disorder.

Therapy is confidential and psychologists are bound by an ethical code which includes maintaining confidentiality. There are some situations where confidentiality may be limited to protect safety of you or others and this will be discussed in detail in your first appointment. For those who are directed to attend session due to court or parole board requirements, information sharing will be dependent upon the nature of your referral. This will be discussed with you prior to commencing therapy. 

A session goes for 50 minutes. 

Prior to your first session you will receive an email with some documentation to complete including a client intake form, client consent form and psychometric assessments to assist Marissa in understanding your current needs. If you have any questions about these documents, you will have an opportunity to discuss this at the beginning of your appointment. 

If you have a referral, please bring this with you. Please also bring along anything else that you think might be helpful (e.g. doctors certificates, reports from other health providers or any notes you may have written or a notepad etc.)