Client Guide

🌿 Welcome to True to Herself Therapy

Parent Information

Parents and guardians play an important role in the therapeutic process. Collaboration between families and therapists helps reinforce skills learned in therapy and supports continued progress outside of sessions.

Depending on your child's age, developmental level, and treatment goals, therapy may include:

• Brief parent check-ins

• Parent coaching and guidance

• Home strategies and recommendations

• Skill reinforcement

• Progress updates

If you would like to speak with your child's or teen's therapist separately, you may schedule a **Parent Consultation** through the client portal by selecting **Request an Appointment**. This appointment provides dedicated time to discuss concerns, ask questions, receive guidance, or review your child's progress outside of their regularly scheduled therapy session.

Children and teens also need a private, supportive space where they can build trust with their therapist. While parents remain an important part of treatment, maintaining age-appropriate confidentiality encourages honesty, independence, and meaningful therapeutic progress. Parents will be informed of any safety concerns or situations requiring disclosure as permitted or required by law. Please refer to your signed therapy consent forms for a complete review of all practice policies and therapy expectations. If you do not have a copy, you may request copies of your signed forms from your therapist at any time.

🔒 Confidentiality

Your privacy is important.

Information discussed during therapy is confidential except when disclosure is required by law, including situations involving:

• Risk of harm to self

• Risk of harm to others

• Suspected abuse or neglect

• Court orders or other legal requirements

For minors, parents remain involved while children and teens are also given an age-appropriate level of privacy.

 

Mandatory Reporting

Therapists are mandated reporters under state law. If information shared during therapy gives us reasonable cause to suspect that a child, vulnerable adult, or elderly adult has been abused, neglected, or exploited, we are legally required to make a report to the appropriate authorities, such as the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) or law enforcement, when applicable. Reports are made to help ensure the safety and well-being of those who may be at risk.

Whenever appropriate and safe to do so, your therapist will discuss the reporting process with you. However, there may be situations in which a report must be made immediately to comply with legal and ethical obligations. Mandated reporting is required by law and is not considered a violation of client confidentiality.

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Homework may include: Journaling, Coping skills practice, Reflection questions, Communication exercises, Mindfulness activities​ and etc.​Homework is always optional and personalized.

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How long does therapy take? Everyone's journey is different. Some clients attend for a few months while others benefit from longer-term support. We'll regularly review your goals and progress together.

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🕒 Clinical Hours & After-Hours Support

Clinical Hours are:

Monday – Friday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Therapist availability and clinical hours vary. Each therapist may have different days and times available for appointments.

Please note that therapists respond to messages during normal business hours only. Messages received outside of office hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, will be returned as soon as possible during the next business day. Response times may vary based on clinical availability.​

Scheduling a New Appointments

To schedule an appointment, please use the Client Portal or the Client Portal app. Available appointment times are typically offered up to 4 weeks in advance from the current date, allowing you to view and select upcoming openings that fit your schedule.

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Immediate and After-Hours Mental Health Support

True to Herself Therapy is an outpatient mental health practice and does not provide emergency, crisis, on-call, or 24-hour services. Text messages, phone calls, voicemails, emails, and client-portal messages are not continuously monitored and should not be used to request emergency or crisis assistance.

If you or your child are experiencing a mental health emergency, having thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, or may be unable to remain safe, do not wait for a response from your therapist.

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If There Is Immediate Danger

Call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency department if you or someone else:

* Is actively attempting to harm themselves or another person
* Has taken an overdose or sustained a serious injury
* Has a suicide plan, access to the intended method, and may act soon
* Cannot remain safe with available supervision and support
* Is experiencing another life-threatening emergency

Do not leave a person who is in immediate danger alone while waiting for emergency assistance.

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 Mental Health Crisis and After-Hours Support

If you or your child are experiencing suicidal thoughts, urges to self-harm, severe emotional distress, or another mental health crisis, contact one of the following resources:

Nationwide Support

• Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room

• Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

• Visit https://988lifeline.org to chat with a crisis counselor.

• Text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.

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South Carolina

• Call the South Carolina Mobile Crisis Team at 1-833-364-2274 for statewide crisis assessment and assistance.

• South Carolina residents may also text HOPE4SC to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.

Connecticut

• Call 211 to be connected with Connecticut crisis services and mobile crisis support for children, teens, or adults.

• Call 1-800-HOPE-135 (1-800-467-3135) for Connecticut mental health and substance-use crisis services.

Crisis support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You do not have to be actively suicidal to contact 988 for emotional support. If you are uncertain whether the situation is an emergency, contact 988 or your state’s mobile crisis service for immediate guidance.

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Guidance for Parents and Caregivers

If you are concerned about your child’s safety:

1. Ask directly and calmly: “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?” and “Are you thinking about suicide?”
2. Listen without judgment, arguing, lecturing, or reacting with anger or shock.
3. Do not promise to keep suicidal thoughts or self-harm a secret.
4. Provide close, continuous adult supervision when the child has current thoughts or urges, or when their ability to remain safe is uncertain.
5. Remove or securely lock away medications, firearms, sharp objects, cords, alcohol, and other potentially dangerous items. When possible, firearms should be temporarily removed from the home or stored unloaded and locked separately from ammunition.
6. Follow the client’s individualized safety plan if one has been created.
7. Contact 988, your state’s mobile crisis service, 911, or the nearest emergency department based on the seriousness and immediacy of the concern.

If you are unable to maintain the client’s safety or are uncertain about their immediate risk, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Do not wait for a response from the therapist when safety is uncertain.

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Coping While Connecting With Support

When the person can participate safely, encourage them to:

• Move to a shared, supervised area instead of isolating

• Contact a trusted adult or identified support person

• Follow their individualized safety plan

• Use slow breathing, grounding, calming music, sensory tools, or another previously practiced coping skill

• Focus on getting through the next few minutes rather than solving everything at once

• Avoid alcohol and other substances

• Delay acting on harmful urges while crisis support is contacted

Coping strategies are not a substitute for emergency evaluation or crisis intervention when someone may be unable to remain safe.

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Follow-Up With Your Therapist

• After immediate safety and crisis needs have been addressed, please notify your therapist through the client portal, text or office number so that appropriate follow-up care can be discussed during clinical hours.

• If a concern is urgent but not immediately life-threatening, contact 988 or your state’s mobile crisis service for timely support. You may also leave a message for your therapist, but the message may not be reviewed until the next business day.

• Contacting the therapist does not replace contacting emergency or crisis services. The resources provided on this page are for informational and support purposes and do not create 24-hour therapist availability or replace individualized assessment, emergency care, or crisis intervention.

 New Here?

Taking the first step toward therapy can bring up many different emotions. You may feel hopeful, nervous, excited, uncertain or even all of those emotions at once. Whether you're seeking therapy for yourself or your child, know that you're not expected to have everything figured out before you begin.

 At True to Herself Therapy, we believe healing starts with feeling safe, heard, and supported. Therapy is a collaborative process where we'll work together to help you build the tools, confidence, and insight needed to navigate life's challenges.

No matter where you are in your journey, you are welcome here.

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If you're a new client, here's what your journey will look like:

Step 1

• Request an Appointment on the website under "Request an Appointment" tab or contact the office

Step 2

• Complete Your Intake Forms sent to your email from office. 

Some of the forms include: 

• Consent forms

• Intake forms

• Insurance information

• Payment information

• Screening questionnaires

• Emergency contact information

Please complete all required paperwork before your first appointment to help avoid delays in treatment. Some forms are required for insurance prior authorization, and services may be delayed until all required documentation has been completed and reviewed.

Step 3

Attend Your First Session

Your first appointment is all about getting to know you.

We'll talk about:

• What brings you to therapy

• Your goals

• Current concerns

• Strengths

• Family history

• Relationships

• School or work

• Any questions you have

There is no pressure to share everything during the first session.

Step 4

Begin Your Therapy Journey

Together we'll create treatment goals that fit your needs.

As therapy continues, we'll celebrate your progress, build new skills, and adjust your goals as you grow.

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Preparing for Your Appointment

Before Every Session

✔ Complete all intake paperwork before your first appointment. Please ensure your insurance information is accurate and kept up to date.

✔ Join your session a few minutes early. You may sign in up to 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment and wait for your therapist in the virtual lobby.

✔ Choose a quiet, private location where you can participate without distractions.

✔ Make sure your phone, tablet, or computer is fully charged.

✔ Test your internet connection before your session begins.

✔ Keep a notebook nearby to write down coping skills, homework, or important reflections discussed during the session.

✔ Silence phone notifications or place your device on Do Not Disturb mode whenever possible to minimize interruptions.

✔ If you are an existing client, please regularly check your email and client portal for any pending documents that require your review and signature before your scheduled appointment.​

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Telehealth Expectations

To provide the best therapeutic experience, please:

✔ Attend sessions from a quiet, private location where you can speak openly and without interruptions.

✔ Keep your camera and microphone on throughout the session unless otherwise discussed with your therapist.

✔ Do not attend sessions while driving or riding in a moving vehicle. If you are driving when your appointment begins, the session will need to be rescheduled for safety reasons. Please attend your session from a private location where others are not present or frequently walking in and out of the room. If your therapist determines that your current environment does not provide adequate privacy or confidentiality, you may be asked to relocate to a more appropriate space before the session can continue.

✔ Minimize distractions by turning off televisions, limiting background noise, and avoiding multitasking during your session.

✔ Wear headphones if additional privacy is needed.

✔ Please ensure you have all materials needed before your session begins, such as paper, writing utensils, headphones (if needed), fidgets, worksheets, or any other items your therapist has requested for the appointment. Having your supplies ready helps maximize your session time and minimizes interruptions.

✔ Be ready to begin your session at your scheduled appointment time. If you anticipate being late, please text your therapist as soon as possible so they can determine whether your appointment can still be accommodated or if it will need to be canceled. We allow a 7-minute grace period to help ensure sessions remain on schedule and do not overlap with the next client's appointment, as sessions begin at the top of each hour. Arrivals beyond the grace period may be considered a late cancellation or no-show, depending on the circumstances.

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Session Length

Session lengths typically range from approximately 38 to 53 minutes. The duration may occasionally be shorter or longer depending on the client's clinical needs, progress, and concerns addressed during the session. Session time begins at the scheduled appointment time when the parent and/or client joins the session. 

Rescheduling Appointments

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please text your therapist:

Ms. Lakita: 864-841-8958

Mrs. Zoie: 864-832-2040

Therapists will respond during normal business hours or the next business day.

Appointments canceled with **less than 24 hours' notice** are subject to a $75 late cancellation fee. Please note that our cancellation policy is based on a **24-hour notice**, not a calendar day. For example, canceling an afternoon appointment the day before may still be considered a late cancellation if less than 24 hours' notice is provided. Clients who have more than two late cancellations or no-showsmay be discharged from services or referred to another provider.

 

What Therapy Looks Like

Every therapy session is personalized to meet your unique needs and treatment goals. No two sessions are exactly alike.

Some sessions focus on learning and practicing new coping skills. Some involve processing emotions and life experiences.

Others may include problem-solving, building insight, setting goals, developing healthy habits, or celebrating progress.

As therapy progresses, your treatment plan and sessions will continue to evolve based on your needs, goals, and growth. Therapy moves at a pace that feels supportive, collaborative, and appropriate for you.
 

Therapy for Children

Children communicate differently than adults.

Rather than expecting children to sit and talk for an entire session, therapy often includes:

🎨 Art activities

🧩 Games

📚 Stories

🧸 Play-based interventions

😊 Emotion identification

💙 Coping skills practice

🫧 Relaxation activities

🎭 Role-playing

📖 Therapeutic books

🎬 Movie discussions

These activities are purposeful, evidence-based interventions designed to help children:

• Express emotions

• Build confidence

• Improve emotional regulation

• Increase frustration tolerance

• Develop social skills

• Strengthen problem-solving

• Practice healthy communication

Learning and growth happen best when children are actively engaged in therapy. Depending on the therapist and the client's age, brief updates about the client's progress and recommendations for supporting skills at home may be sent to parents or guardians after sessions. To respect the client's privacy and confidentiality, specific details discussed during therapy will remain confidential unless there is a safety concern or another circumstance requiring disclosure as permitted or required by law.​

 

Therapy for Teens

Teen therapy provides a space that's supportive, nonjudgmental, and collaborative.

Sessions may include:

• Anxiety management

• Depression support

• Self-esteem

• Identity exploration

• Healthy friendships

• Boundaries

• School stress

• Family relationships

• Emotional regulation

• Communication skills

• Confidence building

• Goal setting

• Coping skills

Interactive activities may include:

• Journaling

• Art

• Worksheets

• Music discussions

• Movie therapy

• Values activities

• CBT exercises

• Role-playing

​Teen therapy is most effective when adolescents have a safe, supportive, and confidential space to openly express their thoughts and feelings. Depending on the therapist, parents or guardians may receive brief updates regarding progress toward treatment goals and recommendations for supporting skills at home. To encourage trust and honest communication, the specific content of therapy sessions will remain confidential unless there is a safety concern or another circumstance requiring disclosure as permitted or required by law.

 

Therapy for Adults

Adult therapy is personalized to your goals.

Common areas include:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Stress

• Burnout

• Life transitions

• Self-esteem

• Relationships

• Communication

• Boundaries

• Trauma

• Grief

• Emotional regulation

• Personal growth

Sessions are conversational but also practical. You'll leave with tools you can begin using outside of therapy.

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 Therapy Is a Team Effort

My Commitment to You

You can expect me to:

❤️ Listen without judgment

❤️ Create a safe environment

❤️ Respect your pace

❤️ Celebrate your growth

❤️ Teach practical coping skills

❤️ Provide evidence-based care

❤️ Encourage honesty and authenticity

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Your Commitment

Therapy is most effective when you:

✔ Attend sessions consistently.

✔ Practice skills outside of therapy.

✔ Share honestly.

✔ Ask questions.

✔ Be patient with yourself.

✔ Remember that healing takes time.

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