No, seeking counseling does not make you weak. Many of us grew up hearing that therapy was for ‘other’ people and that the need for therapy means that you are defective in some way. It’s 100% normal to feel hesitant and nervous about making that initial call to start therapy. Many people feel nervous, self-conscious, or downright ashamed about what it means to “need therapy.” Simply put, therapy is a tool. It is one of many tools that can help a person navigate everyday life challenges. Although therapy is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’, I work hard to tailor my approach to fit your specific needs as they arise during our time together.

There can be great comfort in talking to someone you already know, however, therapists have the professional training to work with various problems from an array of perspectives. Our training prepares us to offer a level of support that fosters and encourages the development of new skills and prompts insight and perspective on your part. We can also provide feedback to help you towards the changes you seek to make and will offer safety and non-judgment with each session you attend. You would not have to worry about someone else’s opinions being pushed on you, or being told what to do in a situation.

There are few relationships in life where strict confidentiality is guaranteed. Therapists are bound by laws in place to protect your privacy as a client. Talking with friends or family members about personal problems, there is a risk of disclosure of your problems to other people – even when loved ones mean no harm. This can have negative effects on those relationships.

While medication treats various mental health symptoms, it is not designed to explore and treat foundational issues; therapy is. Therapy helps a person adopt new strategies for managing life’s challenges and accomplishing personal goals. Medication can be useful but is more effective with the support of talk therapy.

This is how therapy will work: sessions are timed at 50-55 minutes. The first few sessions are intended to get to know you as a client and help you establish your goals for therapy. From there, we will work together on those goals.  Therapy is most effective when you attend it regularly (particularly in the beginning). It’s helpful to approach therapy as an investment in yourself with the expectation of personal return. A large part of your successful outcomes will be related to how able you are to participate and remain committed to your goals.

The true work of therapy takes place in between our sessions. This means that most of the work you do in the session will translate to various aspects of your personal life. Your discipline is crucial to meeting the goals you have. The time you spend on and with yourself between sessions is likely the greatest help towards therapy. This could include completing homework or other therapeutic activities (such as reading) outside of your therapy sessions. Your therapist can offer guidance based on your goals.

If your partner is agreeable to participating in sessions, couple therapy may be a suitable option. There are times when individual therapy is more appropriate for certain relationship problems. Specific recommendations will be provided if couple therapy is determined to be an inappropriate fit to address those concerns.