By: Robyn Darnell FHW PR and Communications Coordinator
No one can pour from an empty cup. In the middle of life’s busiest seasons, it’s important to remember that you can’t take care of everyone else if you don’t first take care of yourself. At FHW, we believe every patient deserves to find healing and a sense of belonging through our behavioral health services. While seeking behavioral healthcare may seem intimidating at first, through expert and compassionate care, our providers are committed to finding a solution and supporting you every step of the way.
One of the most important parts of starting therapy is finding a provider who is a good fit for you. Your provider will work to ensure the conversation feels comfortable and safe. It’s normal to feel like trust forms over time. The provider bios included on the FHW website can give you some initial insight into the types of professionals who work at the clinic. Besides qualifications and treatment specialties, it can also be helpful to look at additional factors like a provider’s hobbies and interests outside of work.
“Our team is pretty diverse in terms of our backgrounds, our clinical training and our areas of expertise,” Dr. Alex Hulst, the director of FHW Behavioral Health, said. “There’s a lot of variety here, and all of our providers really love getting to talk with people who are going through hard things in life and to see them in a non judgmental way.”
The main goal of that initial appointment is to create a plan for future treatment. Some patients may know exactly what kind of support they are looking for, while others may not know what services would best meet their needs. Regardless of where your starting point is, our providers are happy to meet you where you are and make suggestions on next steps.
“You don’t have to bring anything with you to that first appointment,” Dr. Hulst said. “If you just want to sit down and talk it all out with us, we’re really good at asking questions and putting all those pieces together.”
Another goal of that initial appointment is determining how often you’ll meet with the provider. Some patients may only require an appointment once a month while others may want to schedule more frequent appointments. Either way, your provider will work with you to determine a schedule that feels right for you. We typically recommend patients attend their first appointment in-person, and virtual appointments are available for follow-up sessions.
Most importantly, we want patients to know that you don’t have to do it alone. Some patients may prefer to bring a trusted friend or family member with them to provide support during the initial evaluation. Parents especially are encouraged to join their child’s first appointment and provide additional context into their family situation.
“Sometimes that first appointment can be a little overwhelming because it’s hard to know how to share what can feel like a really complicated story about your life,” Dr. Hulst said. “We don’t want that to be a barrier, so we try to be flexible and understanding. Our job is to make it a safe place to share your story.”
For more information about Behavioral Health at FHW, visit https://fhw.org/services/behavioral-health/ or call the office directly at 970-858-2527.
