How I Begin — Working For and With a New Person, when we first meet
Below are the problems listed on my intake form. These lists contain most of the symptoms which should be considered during a first session. (I am always looking for new items which should be added to these lists.) I also ask about peoples’ routine habits of sleep, diet, and physical health, and about medicines or drugs which my clients are taking, or have taken. I want to know what people have found helpful, or not helpful.
It is my habit to take long enough during this meeting, for both my client and me to come to a meaningful understanding of the problem(s), so that we can begin to deal with it. I do not like to have the first session end without the client being able to see a way forward.
I have found it useful to use these lists to group problems into different types, which are given by the top items of the columns. It is important for me to consider all of the items which cause or contribute to my clients’ problems, even though a person may come to see me for only one or two specific issues. The less important problems are valuable indicators of what kind of treatment plan is likely to be helpful.
As my business name implies, I have had extensive experience with urgent problems and difficult situations. Much of that experience has involved working cooperatively with my clients’ physicians, as it has become well known that medications can be very helpful, and are frequently invaluable with many of the problems which bring people to see me.
My intention as a psychologist is to provide a full range of psychological services, for problems such as PTSD and severe anxiety, and also including psychotherapy and counselling, assistance with marriage and parent-child relationships, and various kinds of assessments such as those related to school problems or legal problems.
| Mental Self-Control Sleep Problems Memory Mental Energy Concentration Assertiveness Learning Problems Appetite Compulsions Attention Deficit Decision Making Impulsivity Aggression Crying Episodes Flashbacks Suicidal Thoughts Nightmares Visions Voices Hyperactivity Intrusive Images Tantrums Low Self-Esteem Fatigue |
Unwanted Feelings Nervousness / Anxiety Grief Fear of Failure Remorse Anger or Rage Disliking my own body Boredom Depression Bad Temper Guilt or Self-Blame Intense Dreams Mood Swings Dizziness Dread (of Death?) Déjà vu Premonitions PTSD Episodes of Nausea Panic or Phobias Dissociation Road Rage Post-Traumatic Stress Shyness |
Bad Luck / Bad Habits Health Problems Legal Matters Physical Pain Loss of Employment Self-Harm or Risk Taking Career Choice Reactions to Medicines Computer Overuse Trauma Disability Pregnancy Stubbornness Immaturity Sexual Issues Eating Disorders Head Injury Craving for sweets Drug Use or Abuse Alcohol Use or Abuse Headaches / Migraine Gambling PMS / Hormone Problems Epilepsy |
People problems Loneliness Dating Separation or Divorce Childhood issues Issues re Adoption Bullying / Being Bullied Marriage Partner’s Family Friends or Peers Parenting Loss of Relationship Children’s Problems Blended Families School Problems Workplace issues Dislike of Doctors Sexual orientation Financial Problems Enemies Religious Faith / Doubt Constant Frustration Pornography Secrets to tell later |
These lists have been revised many times over the years, and I welcome suggestions of new items.