Your First Visit
In many ways, your first visit to a Creative Spirits office will be like any other doctor’s appointment. Your first appointment will probably take about 60-90 minutes. We ask that you arrive a few minutes early so that you can begin filling out some paperwork that will help us with your treatment. There are a few items and pieces of information you should bring with you to help with the paperwork:​
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Your driver’s license or other government ID
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Your insurance card, if you have one
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A list of any medications you are taking, including dosage and frequency
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If you have received therapy or other mental health services in the past, bring the name and contact information for the clinic and/or therapist you saw
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Your personal contact information (address, phone number, social security number)
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If you are referred for court services, bring your court documents, case number, and the name and contact information of all related parties revolving your case, which could include:
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Your Attorney
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Case Designated Worker
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Probation and Parole
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After you fill out your paperwork, you may wait in the lobby until you are called back to see your therapist. When you are taken in to see the therapist, the room will be somewhat different from your primary care physician’s office. Instead of an exam table, you’ll see comfortable chairs or a couch.
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When your therapist comes to talk to you, they will ask you some questions about why you have come to Creative Spirits. They will want to talk to you about any symptoms you have been experiencing (like mood swings, feeling sad, difficulty sleeping, etc.) and what your goals are for your treatment. Treatment goals can be anything from, “I want to be able to get out of bed every day” to “I want to quit drinking and rebuild my relationship with my daughter.”
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During your visit, your therapist will help you figure out how often you need to come back for treatment. Depending on your needs, you will be assigned a treatment team that will help you meet your goals. This team will work with you to help you reach the goals that you have set. Because everyone is different, everyone will have a different treatment plan. You will be an active part of deciding your treatment goals and your treatment plan.
After your first appointment, you should have a better idea of what is ailing you and how you will get better. Before you leave, be sure to stop by the front desk to pick up any instructions, schedule your next appointment, and/or pay for services if you had not already done so.