I’ve never talked to anyone. I’m used to handling things on my own. Aren’t people who go to therapy weak?
Not at all. People who ask for help know when they need it and have the ability to reach out. Everyone needs help now and then. You already have some strengths that you’ve used before, that for whatever reason isn’t working right now. Perhaps this problem feels overwhelming and is making it difficult to access your past strengths. In our work together, I’ll help you identify what those strengths are and how to implement them again in what is happening now.
What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?
Since I’m not a member of your family or a friend, I have the benefit of being able to see you without preconceptions. We will create a safe space for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors without criticism or judgment, a place that can be all about you, where you can try out ideas and receive feedback that comes from an informed, supportive, and encouraging point of view. I’m glad if you have friends and family who listen and are supportive, and this is an important part of life! The services I offer are not meant to replace existing supports, but rather to add something different to help you benefit from a different perspective and grow in new directions instead of being stuck the same roles and patterns you might have been in throughout your life.
Why shouldn’t I just take medication?
Medication alone is often not enough to resolve deeper issues or create meaningful, long term change, and many studies suggest that for many conditions, treatment consisting of medication plus psychotherapy can offer even more powerful and lasting results. One reason for this is that medication can often provide some relief from symptoms to allow you to have the strength to participate more fully in psychotherapy, and to remove the distress that might be making your life feel unmanageable and unnecessarily difficult. However, I respect my clients’ choice in regards to the often difficult decision of whether or not to utilize medications as an adjunct to treatment.
How does it work? What do I have to do in sessions?
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. I tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs
How long will it take?
Everyone’s circumstances are unique to them and the length of time therapy can take to allow you to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek therapy in the first place.
I want to get the most out of therapy. What can I do to help?
Because each person has different needs and goals in therapy, no one approach will fit all. During our first session, we will discuss options and preferences, and I can offer flexibility in how we proceed. If at any point, things do not seem to be working or you want to try things differently, we can course correct and make adjustments to get us back on track. The important thing is that this will be a collaborative treatment experience, and your input is vital and appreciated!
My partner and I are having problems. Should we be in individual counseling or come together?
This is a great question, and a difficult one to answer without knowing your situation and story. I do have a limited number of spaces available for couples counseling, so please contact me and let’s discuss your situation and needs. Often what works best is to see both an individual and a couples counselor, and these should ideally be different people. We can certainly talk about your options, and see if I might be a good fit for one of those roles for you and/or your partner – I offer a free 15 minute phone consultation where we can talk further about your options.