the service model
Journey Bound Counseling specializes in experiential mental health care for teenagers and adults. Services are provided by a licensed clinical social worker. Unlike traditional talk therapy, services are hosted outside a therapy office, in natural environments or at key partner locations.
As with every journey, ours will have a start, middle and end. Here’s what a typical journey can look like.
1
Assessment
Every client relationship begins with an intake assessment, the purpose of which is to establish therapeutic rapport and identify presenting mental health concerns you are experiencing. In addition to the usual areas of focus, I ask about your interests and hobbies and give you information on different types of activities that may be a good fit for you based on your treatment goals. We develop a provisional treatment plan based on your unique strengths, interests and mental health needs.
2
Ongoing Psychotherapy
We will meet regularly for psychotherapy. While treatment frequency varies by treatment need, most clients meet weekly during the active treatment phase. Appointments involve activity-based components that directly tie to your mental health concerns and therapy goals, and can be adapted to address learning opportunities as they present themselves. Appointments are often hosted by key partnerships, including gyms, grocery stores, parks and recreation facilities. Your treatment plan is reviewed and updated at routine intervals to assess progress and modify approaches as needed. In addition, auxiliary services may be provided if helpful to your individualized treatment plan, including psychotherapy groups and community events.
3
Conclusion of Services
Once we accomplish what we set out to do at the beginning of our work together, we titrate sessions. At this time, there may be opportunities for you to volunteer your time to support others starting the therapeutic process. At the end of our work together, we collaborate to develop a meaningful closing activity that represents the culmination of the therapeutic process and celebrate your hard work.
Let's Work
Together
I know lots of people have questions when they start this kind of thing. Let me answer some of the common ones for you.
So this isn’t talk therapy, right?
Right! As part of the assessment process, we discuss your interests, strengths, and areas of growth. In addition to the typical information gathered during a talk therapy intake, I will discuss potential experiences that may be a good fit based on these factors.
After, we collaborate to develop a treatment program based on your therapy goals. Ongoing therapy appointments involve active learning that are directly tied to your mental health concerns and treatment goals.
...But if I need to talk, we can, right?
You got it! At the end of the day, we live by the principle posited by adventure therapy to "be in the moment." With that, appointments are often adapted to address learning opportunities as they present themselves.
What exactly do you mean "there is no office?"
That means all sessions take place in the community or, when helpful, at your home. While many experiences take place at parks, we are not limited to outdoor spaces when the weather turns rainy. Thanks to community partnerships, we often use indoor spaces like gaming cafes, community centers, and libraries as well.
I believe building these bridges in therapy helps you establish safe connections to your local community. My hope is that you will be able to create a space that you can continue to use long after you accomplish your therapeutic work with Journey Bound Counseling.
Safety is of the utmost importance to me when planning and implementing experiences. In recognition of the enhanced risk associated with community-based adventure therapy, I have additional technical and first aid certifications beyond the ethics and risk management trainings expected of any licensed therapist.
Is this safe?
I live by the code of “challenge by choice” not by force. That’s why we talk about your comfort level and problem solve around potential concerns that may come up in the moment, before the moment.
What about privacy?
I take your privacy just as seriously as I would if we were in an office, and am bound by the same laws governing any of your medical information. Due to the nature of community-based appointments, we will discuss potential privacy limitations for any given activity prior to participating in it.
Safety is of the utmost importance to me when planning and implementing experiences. I follow the same procedures expected of any fully licensed therapist. In recognition of the enhanced risk associated with community-based adventure therapy, I have additional technical certifications.
I live by the code of “challenge by choice” not by force. That’s why we talk about your comfort level and problem solve around potential concerns that may come up in the moment, before the moment.