Naira Karapetyan LMFT

I consider the initial sessions with clients as informal interviews and introductions. Clients are encouraged to share what they seek to gain from counseling and ask any questions they may have. I take time to provide feedback and review the risks and benefits of treatment, confidentiality and limits of confidentiality including how I manage urgent and emergent calls. I like to learn about their day-to-day and how they manage their stress as well as about their support systems. After a few sessions, I discuss a general treatment plan including treatment goals, the potential time frame for meeting goals and overall fit. I may also provide referrals to other providers if I feel a client's needs are beyond my scope.

Depending on the client unit and problem, I may adjust methods as needed. I generally use interventions and methods deriving from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused modalities. Conversations facilitated are geared towards exploring and cultivating insights, processing and identifying feelings and or conveying and presenting new perspectives and information. I may share resources such as worksheets, research articles, relevant articles, podcasts and books in the process.

• California, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, 109040