If anxiety or low mood has been running the day, the first session is your reset. At Mason Family Counseling, you will meet with a licensed clinician who turns proven methods into steps you can actually use. We offer in-person sessions at our two Mason offices on Cedar Village Drive and Tylersville Road, along with secure telehealth anywhere in Ohio. We are in network with most major insurance plans and verify benefits up front.
Before You Arrive
After scheduling, you will receive brief intake forms. Jot down your medications and any previous treatment. Decide whether you prefer Cedar Village, Tylersville Road, or telehealth. If you choose online, test your connection and pick a private spot.
The First 60 Minutes, Step by Step
Minutes 0-10: Welcome and orientation. You review consent and confidentiality. Your therapist outlines the flow so you know what is coming.
Minutes 10-35: Assessment and story. You describe how anxiety or depression shows up in your day and what relief would look like. You may complete brief measures like the PHQ-9 or GAD-7 to create a baseline.
Minutes 35-50: Approach and first tools. You try one or two skills that match your goals and environment.
Minutes 50-60: Plan and next steps. You set session frequency, usually weekly at first, and pick two small targets to track this week.
What Treatment Can Include
Your plan will match your needs. Clinicians often use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify thinking and behavior patterns that keep symptoms going. Behavioral Activation helps you rebuild energy and routine through small actions you can sustain. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) strengthens values-based actions even when symptoms are present. We integrate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills for emotion regulation and boundaries. When OCD or health anxiety features are present, your therapist may include supported exposure, including Exposure and Response Prevention when appropriate. If medication could help, and with your consent, we coordinate with your prescriber. You will leave with a short practice to try and a clear plan for the next session.
Measuring Progress That Matters
Together you choose indicators that fit your life. Examples include driving routes you have been avoiding, returning to workouts, or finishing a work task that had felt impossible. We pair those with quick weekly check-ins or brief scales so you can see change over time. Many clients notice meaningful traction in six to eight sessions, then taper as skills stick. Timelines vary based on severity, stressors, and follow-through between visits.
Should I Choose In-Person or Telehealth Treatment?
You can meet at Cedar Village, Tylersville Road, or by secure video from anywhere in Ohio. Telehealth can work well for many anxiety and mood concerns when privacy and focus are solid. If you are unsure which format is best, we will help you decide based on your goals and schedule. Insurance is verified before you begin, and we will explain any out-of-pocket costs.
How to Prepare in Five Minutes
Bring a short list of top concerns and two places symptoms interfere most. Note one change you want to notice in the next month. If you want a family member involved in logistics, invite them for the first few minutes to coordinate calendars or releases.
After Session One
Expect to leave with a plan and next steps. As you notice what helps, your therapist will refine the approach. When stress spikes, we can add brief check-ins or schedule around specific challenges like travel, exams, or busy seasons at work. If you later want support for relationships or trauma, your therapist can recommend targeted services within the practice.