New to therapy, or new to me
What to expect in your first session
Starting therapy takes courage, whether it’s your very first time or you’ve sat on a therapist’s couch before. Here’s what happens when we meet, so you can walk in knowing what comes next.
Every session moves at your pace.
Hi, I’m Yvette.
I help women heal from trauma and burnout. Many of the women I work with are the ones who have held everyone else together for years. They’re tired, they’re carrying old pain, and they’re ready to finally set some of it down.
I’m direct, I’m warm, and I laugh easily, even in therapy. You don’t have to perform, say the right thing, or have it all figured out. You just have to show up as you are.
It’s not what’s wrong with you. It’s what’s happened to you.
Faith is welcome, but not required.
Yvette Brown, Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee at Attune Center for Healing. Supervised by Christina Whitney, LMFT #111050.
Gentle, steady, and on your terms
Your pace
You decide what we talk about and when. You’re never pushed to share more than you’re ready to.
Trust first
Healing happens in safe relationships. We build that trust before we go anywhere deep.
You have a say
Therapy is a team effort. If something isn’t working for you, tell me, and we’ll adjust.
Most of our time is ordinary conversation. Along the way, I may also use two approaches that are especially helpful for trauma. I’ll always explain them first and ask if you’d like to try.
Parts work (Internal Family Systems)
Most of us notice that different “parts” of us want different things. Part of you wants to rest, and another part says you can’t stop. Internal Family Systems, or IFS, is a gentle way of getting to know those parts with curiosity instead of judgment, so the parts carrying old hurt can finally heal.
Brainspotting
Where we look can affect how we feel. Brainspotting uses a steady spot in your field of vision to help your brain and body work through painful experiences, often without needing to talk through every detail.
Your first session, step by step
Before we meet
You’ll get some intake paperwork to fill out ahead of time. If a question feels like too much, you can skip it and we’ll talk about it together instead.
Arriving
For in-person sessions, come to Attune Center for Healing, 2395 Bechelli Ln., Suite B, Redding. Arriving a few minutes early gives you time to settle in. If we’re meeting by video, you’ll get a secure link to join from somewhere private and comfortable.
Getting started
I’ll go over how therapy works, how I keep what you share private, and the few situations where the law requires me to share information. You can ask me anything, including about my training or how I work.
What brings you in
I’ll ask about what’s going on in your life and what made you reach out now. You share what you’re comfortable sharing. You don’t need to tell your whole story or go into painful details in the first session.
Wrapping up
Before you leave, we’ll talk about how the session felt and plan our next time together. It’s completely normal to feel tired, relieved, or a little stirred up afterward.
The first few sessions
For most women, the first several sessions are about building trust and getting clear on what you want from therapy. I want to understand your life, your strengths, and the people and things that support you.
Together, we’ll name your goals. What would you like to be different? How would you know therapy is helping? Your goals guide our work, and we can change them any time.
From there, healing usually happens in three steps:
Safety first
Simple tools that help your body and mind feel steady, so the work never feels like too much.
Get to know your parts
Getting curious about the parts of you that are struggling, instead of fighting them.
Heal what’s underneath
Deeper trauma work, so the old wound driving the pattern can finally rest.
If you’ve been in therapy before
Welcome back. A new therapist is a fresh start. Every therapist works a little differently, so our first sessions will still focus on getting to know each other. It really helps me to hear what worked for you in past therapy and what didn’t.
Things people often wonder
Do I have to talk about my trauma right away?
No. You set the pace. We’ll build safety and trust first, and you decide when you’re ready to go deeper.
What if I don’t know what to say?
That’s okay, and it’s very common. I’ll ask questions to help guide our time. Silence is welcome too.
What if I cry?
Tears are welcome here. You never need to apologize for your feelings.
What if it doesn’t feel like a good fit?
Please tell me. The fit between you and your therapist matters a lot. If I’m not the right person, I’ll help you find someone who is.
Can we meet online?
Yes. I see clients in person in Redding and by secure video anywhere in California.
What about fees and insurance?
Attune accepts Aetna, Health Net, L.A. Care, Magellan, UnitedHealthcare, Partnership, and Medi-Cal. Self-pay is $100 per session, and superbills are available on request. Call me with any questions about your plan.
Ready when you are
Phone
Book online
Telehealth
Secure video sessions anywhere in California.
If you are in crisis or thinking about ending your life, call or text 988, or call 911. This page is not for emergencies.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Whatever brought you here, it makes sense. Let’s talk about what you’re carrying.