What You Can Expect

Feeling a bit anxious before your first counseling session is completely normal. To help you feel more at ease and get the most out of the experience, it’s important to know what to expect. Your initial telehealth therapy session is a valuable opportunity to connect with your counselor, begin building trust, and clarify your goals for mental health support or relationship counseling.

This first virtual meeting also allows you to assess whether your counselor is a good fit for your needs, communication style, and values—an essential factor in the success of your online therapy journey. As you read on, you’ll gain a better understanding of the counseling process and how we partner with you to support emotional well-being, personal growth, and healthier relationships.

The Counseling Process

At your first therapy session, your counselor will ask thoughtful, relevant questions to better understand your personal history, current challenges, and goals for seeking help. Whether you're pursuing individual counseling or couples therapy, we want to understand what brought you in—such as difficulty communicating with your spouse, struggling with anxiety or depression, or symptoms like trouble sleeping, persistent anger, or emotional overwhelm.

We use this initial conversation to assess your emotional health and form a clear picture of your concerns. Your counselor will share their early impressions and provide preliminary recommendations tailored to your needs—setting the foundation for a productive, supportive counseling relationship.

What to Expect in Your First Therapy Session

Counseling is a collaborative process. The more openly and actively you participate, the more meaningful your progress can be. To prepare for your session:

• Reflect on why you’re seeking therapy and what you hope to gain.

• Practice describing your emotional experience (e.g., “I feel anxious when...,” “I’ve been feeling sad more often…”).

• Consider writing down your concerns, symptoms, or relationship challenges.

• Ask any questions you have—clarity is essential, and we welcome your curiosity.

• Be honest about how you’re feeling during the session; even discomfort can offer valuable insight.

Many clients find it helpful to take notes during sessions to track insights, goals, or strategies discussed.

Counseling Is a Process, Not a Quick Fix

It's important to come with realistic expectations. Counseling rarely produces instant results. Instead, it fosters gradual change through insight, emotional support, and skill-building. Over time, clients often report improvements in areas such as:

• Emotional regulation and stress management

• Relationship satisfaction and communication

• Decision-making and self-awareness

• Coping with anxiety, depression, or grief

• Work-life balance and personal growth

Whether you're seeking support for a life transition, mental health concern, or relationship difficulty, counseling can empower you to gain deeper understanding and make lasting changes.

We deeply respect your decision to invest in your well-being and look forward to partnering with you on your journey toward healing, clarity, and personal growth.

Getting Started

Thank you for placing your trust in us. We’re honored to support your emotional health and personal growth through secure, confidential telehealth counseling. Whether you're seeking help for anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, or relationship challenges, we look forward to connecting with you—wherever you are in Arizona or any PSYPACT-participating state.

New Patient Information

To prepare for your first online counseling session, we will send you the new patient documents through our secure therapy portal once you have provided us with some basic demographic information including your personal email address. When you have completed the online forms, we will automatically be notified and the documents will be processed. If you experience any technical difficulties or have questions about the process, feel free to contact our office at 520-219-8377 or email us at Info@DrLinaman.com.

Telehealth-Only Services

Our counselors provide teletherapy sessions only—no in-office visits are available. All sessions are conducted through a HIPAA-compliant, secure video platform or telephone system. This allows you to access professional support from the comfort and privacy of your own home or office, whether you're located in Arizona or another PSYPACT-approved state.

Insurance & Payment Information

Our counselors are out-of-network providers and are not contracted with any insurance company through our practice. However, many clients are eligible for out-of-network reimbursement. If you wish to submit a claim, we’re happy to provide you with the necessary documentation (please note: Medicare policies do not allow this option).

We recommend contacting your insurance provider’s Member Services to verify your behavioral health coverage for out-of-network telehealth counseling.

Clients may also use Health Savings Account (HSA) funds to cover therapy sessions.

Payment Methods Accepted:

• Visa, MasterCard, Discover

• Personal checks

• HSA cards

Fees are due at the time of service.

Contact Information

For more information about telehealth counseling services with Dr. Todd E. Linaman, Ph.D. or Kristen Weleba, LPC, please call (520) 219-8377 or email us at Info@DrLinaman.com. We’re here to help you take the next step toward emotional wellness and stronger relationships.