Getting Started
Hello! Welcome to coaching/counselling* with me.
To get started, here are the three things we need to set up for our first session together.
1. Set up and get familiar with Jane
Jane is where you can book, reschedule, and cancel our appointments. You will also receive invoices/receipts and appointment notifications through Jane. Use this guide to get familiar with your “My Account” page.
If you choose to engage in telehealth through Jane App, here is a guide on how to join your online appointment through Jane, as well as testing your video before the session.
2. Connect on Speakbox
Speakbox is an online collaborative care tool that allows a client and therapist to collaborate on session notes, care plans, resources, and goals. I use it primarily to store notes of our sessions and send you documents in a secure way. The platform is encrypted based on Canada’s health industry standards. As a client through Speakbox Life, you can use this tool to track your mood (Self Care tab) and see our session notes (Shared Care tab → Workspaces → Session Notes).
You may use this tool as much or as little as you want. But in order for us to get started, create an account and connect with me on my virtual clinic — ideally before our first session. If you have any questions/complications about this process, please email me.
Click on the link below to register an account with an email, name, and password.
Go to your email inbox and verify your email.
Re-click on the link below to log in and connect with my virtual clinic (may or may not be needed).
You may not see my “clinic” in your Shared Care tab until I accept you as a client on my end.
In your day-to-day use of Speakbox, you can use the web app on either desktop or mobile.
3. Read through & fill out forms
The Informed Consent Form outlines details like my approach, cancellation policy, confidentiality, etc. If you have any questions about it, please feel free to email me before our first session. We will also go over any questions and concerns in our first session before you sign.
The Intake Form asks for personal information, family history, trauma history, etc. This form is optional ie. I don’t love intake forms but if you love them, go ahead! If you choose to do it, only fill out whatever you feel is important for me to know right now (such as goals & intentions). There is no need for you to share everything with me in the beginning; only share what you feel comfortable doing so. If you would like to go through the form but prefer speaking vs. writing, we can also go over them verbally in session.
If you choose to fill out the intake form and/or sign the informed consent form before our first session, please upload them into the Files tab (Workspace → Files) on Speakbox by 5PM on the night before our first session. If you prefer to email them to me, you can do that too (but there are limitations to confidentiality and privacy via email).
If you have previously made other ways of sharing/processing your lived experiences that you would like to share with me (eg. poetry, slideshow, voice recording, journal, other documents), feel free to upload them onto Speakbox or email them to me as well. These alternatives can serve as more accessible options.
If you don't have a printer/scanner, here are some ways to fill out the intake form online:
If you have any recommendations on making my documents more accessible, gender-inclusive, less ableist, etc., please let me know. They are continuing works in progress.
4. Set up for virtual therapy
For every session, you will receive an appointment reminder via email/SMS and I will meet/contact you at your chosen platform. If you choose Jane, you will receive an online appointment link in the appointment reminder emails. If you choose phone call, I will call you on the phone number in your Jane contact info at our session time.
To set up for our session, here is a helpful article by a local therapist.
Virtual Is Reality: The Changing Counselling Office By Megan Sutherland
Her collection of articles may also clarify some questions or concerns you may have about the therapeutic relationship and work.
Therapy & You by Megan Sutherland
While these are not my words, I generally share similar views on therapy. With that said, I may also have varying perspectives, so if you have any questions on how I shape my practice, please bring it up in session or feel free to email me.
In fact, feel free to arrive at our first session with some questions to further interview me for the role of your therapist/coach/counsellor. Here is some insight on the types of questions you might want to ask. And more ideas on Inclusive Therapists below:
Vetting a Potential Therapist: a Guide for Finding your Next Therapist
Questions to Ask Therapists, Counselors, Coaches, Mental Health Providers Before Starting Therapy
5. What you can expect in our first session
The first session may feel a little more structured due to the setting up process. I will offer you an opportunity to ask questions about the informed consent form, then we will verbally go through some aspects of the intake form (if relevant) and I will ask some key questions about the therapeutic work and safety-building.
Whatever you’re not comfortable with writing down on the intake form, you will also have the opportunity to share with me in session (if desired at this time). I take this time to learn more about you and what you need, for you to get a sense of my therapeutic style, and for us to get more comfortable with each other before we dive into the deep stuff. While the setup process is an intention for this first session, I will also ask if there is anything else (that feels more urgent) that you would like to cover and create space for.
In the first few sessions, we will also explore how we want to develop our own unique therapeutic relationship, given your personal needs and values, and what might be helpful and unhelpful in cultivating the therapeutic space. Building a sense of (enough) safety, comfort, and trust is crucial in doing any type of processing work, whether it’s coaching or counselling, and I generally prioritize building these foundations before rushing into the juicy contents of process work (depending on your comfort level).
Every few sessions, I will ask for your feedback on what has been helpful or unhelpful, and what you would like to try/experience differently.
Although I do intentionally create space for feedback, you are also welcome to offer me feedback when I don’t explicitly ask for it. This feedback also includes things that I say or don’t say that might be inappropriate, oppressive (eg. ableist, classist) or anything that doesn’t resonate or work for you.
Any other questions?
Email me at jiyoun@itsjiyounkim.com or ask in session! I will generally respond to emails within 1-2 business days. If you have a question but are wondering - wait, can I ask my therapist this? The answer is yes. If I feel the need to set boundaries for myself, I will do so.