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.

🔒 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​

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Homework is always optional and personalized.

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 - 1:00 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.

 

If You Are Experiencing an Emergency

True to Herself Therapy is an outpatient mental health practice and is not equipped to provide emergency, crisis, or 24-hour services.

If you or your child are experiencing a mental health emergency, having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or if you believe there is an immediate risk to safety, do not wait for a response from your therapist.

Instead, call 911 immediately, go to the nearest emergency department, or contact your local mobile crisis response team (if available in your area) for immediate evaluation and assistance.

If there are concerns about self-harm or suicide risk, remove or securely lock away all items that could be used to cause harm, including sharp objects, medications, cords, firearms (if applicable), and any other potentially dangerous items. Provide close supervision and take immediate action to obtain emergency services if you are unable to maintain the client's safety.

 

If you have previously created a Safety Plan with your therapist, please follow the steps outlined in your plan and utilize your identified coping strategies and support persons while seeking emergency assistance. If the situation is urgent but not life-threatening, please leave a message through the client portal or by phone, and your therapist will respond during the next business day.

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 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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