Your first visit

From the door to the goodbye.

Nobody likes walking into a new place not knowing what happens next. So here is a first visit at Alder House, from the sidewalk to the steps on your way out.

From a dim hallway, an open five-panel fir door with a brass knob, a sunlit cream room and a garden window beyond.

One

Arriving

You'll find us on a quiet North End street, in a bungalow with a wide front porch and a garden you can glimpse down the side of the house. There's no sign shouting at you. Come up the front walk. If you're early, that's fine. The porch is meant for it.

Two

The porch

There are chairs out front, a small table, and a pot of tea. In summer it's often mint from the garden. In winter it's something warmer, and there are blankets on the backs of the chairs. Pour yourself a cup. Sit down. Watch the street for a minute. Nobody will rush you inside.

Two weathered porch chairs around a small oak table with a pot of tea, two green cups, honey and mint, a sage throw over one chair.

Three

Being met

The person you're seeing will come out to find you. Not a front desk, not a name called across a waiting room. If you booked with Paige, it's Paige at the screen door. If you booked with Tomas, it's Tomas. They'll say hello, ask how you're doing, and let you finish your tea if you'd like to.

Then you go in together. The hall floors creak a little. The house smells faintly of wood and whatever's steeping in the kitchen.

The front room inside the door: plaster walls, oak trim, a worn leather armchair and a linen sofa, no desk and no screens.

Four

The room

The room is quiet. The door closes softly behind you. It's clean and bright where it needs to be, with a window and a comfortable chair, and nothing on the walls trying to sell you anything.

The first thing that happens is a conversation. They sit down with you, not behind anything, and ask what brought you in, and they listen to the whole answer. Ask anything. Take your time. Your first visit is about getting to know each other, and nothing happens until you're comfortable.

A calm room with tall windows and sheer curtains, a linen daybed with an oat blanket, an oak side table with folded towels, bare plaster walls.

Five

Leaving

When you're done, they walk you back down the hall and out to the porch. There's usually still tea. Some people sit a while longer. Some people head straight down the steps. Either is right.

Before you go, they'll ask if you'd like to see them again, and there's no pressure in the question. Most people say yes. A few become regulars on the porch, and one or two have been known to leave with a handful of mint.

The garden in evening light, lavender and catmint along a flagstone path, a bench under a tree.

Questions

A few plain answers

Can I ask for someone by name?: Yes, please do. That's how we hope you'll choose.
Can I bring someone with me?: Of course. There's room on the porch.
What if I'm nervous?: Say so. Everyone here would rather know, and nobody will hurry you.

Meet the four of us

Your first visit starts with a consult.

Book a consult

Or call 208 555 0163.