All of us at the Counseling Center of New Jersey want to make you feel welcomed as you take the first step towards living a life you love. You might be wondering what this first appointment will look like. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect, so you can arrive feeling more at ease and informed.
Intake Process
You’ve likely been sent an invite via email from TherapyPortal to create an account using our client portal. On the portal, you will find all required paperwork that needs to be completed prior to your first appointment. Paperwork includes:
- CCG Office Policies
- Consent Forms
- Client History Form
- Client Information Form
- Emergency Contacts Form
If you have questions regarding any of these forms, don’t hesitate to reach out beforehand—we’re happy to walk you through them.
Red Bank, NJ Office Location and Parking
Address:
65 Mechanic St
L2
Red Bank, NJ 07701
[Click here for driving directions]
Parking:
Our building is located in downtown Red Bank and includes a large parking lot onsite. We are located right off the Garden State Parkway, exit 109 within one block of the Navesink River in Historic Red Bank.
Entry:
You can enter the main building via the entrance to the right of the building, or on the left of the building with the awning.
If you choose to enter the entrance on the right, you can take the stairs straight down and to the left, you’ll see our office suite L2 with our sign for The Counseling Center of New Jersey.
If you choose to enter the entrance on the left with the awning, take the stairs down, straight and then right all the way to our office suite L2 where you’ll see our sign.
Note: Our building is handicap accessible and has an elevator. Please utilize the left side building entrance with the awning for handicap accessible entry.
Once you enter our office suite door, take a seat and your therapist will come out to greet you. They will likely say your name and wait for you to identify yourself.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Helpful Tips for Your First Visit
Your first session is an opportunity for your therapist to get to know you—what brought you in, what’s been on your mind, and how you’ve been feeling.
- Plan to arrive a few minutes early to get settled.
- Bring any questions or notes you want to reference.
- Dress comfortably—this is your space to relax and be yourself.
It’s okay if you don’t know exactly where to start—your therapist will help guide the conversation.
After the Session
After the first session it is also normal to feel a mix of things—relief, hope, exhaustion, uncertainty. You might even wonder if you “said the right things.” The truth is, there’s no right or wrong way to show up. Just by taking that first step, you’ve already done something brave and important. The CCG clinician and intake teams are also always available to answer any questions and to help you navigate your time at the Counseling Center Group.
