What is the counseling experience like?

Counseling is dedicated time you and your therapist spend talking about what is going on in your life and how you can work to change or accept these circumstances. Therapists come from a variety of backgrounds and schools of thought, but my approach is very goal-oriented and focused on how your strengths can help you overcome your issues.

Why is counseling helpful?

Counseling is a rapidly growing field due to growing public awareness that setting aside time to process our daily lives with a professional often brings understanding and direction to some of the most difficult issues we face. Your quality of life can radically improve through learning to understand another perspective, validate your own feelings, or taking time to meet your own basic physical or emotional needs. For some mental health conditions, therapy can be helpful but not sufficient; together, we will discuss how you can coordinate with other professionals to get all the care you need.

Why can’t I just talk to a friend about my problems?

Most of the time talking to your friends about the issues you are having is exactly the right thing to do. I recommend seeking therapy when you feel like you have a particularly difficult issue which would either put an undue strain on the friendship or requires more time or expertise than a friend can give.

I am worried I won’t know what to say.

I hear this a lot from clients and even experienced it myself as a therapy client. A good therapist will help you articulate what is going on by asking open-ended question and creating an comfortable space in which you are free to explore what’s going on for you.

Is counseling worth the money?

According to the American Psychological Association an estimated 193 billion dollars is lost in potential earnings each year due to the impacts of untreated mental illness. Mental health issues, which impact people’s ability to maintain relationships, pursue career ambitions, and make positive choices, also have a tremendous financial impact. I am happy to discuss the financial investment of therapy with clients. It’s important to me that you get what you need and have an experience that is valuable to you.

Is what is said in session confidential?

With some notable exceptions (chiefly, safety of self or others and disclosure of abuse), everything you say in therapy is confidential and protected. Our sessions are a time for you to talk about how you feel without having to worry about anyone else hearing or judging what you say.

How do I know if therapy is working?

Often the benefits of therapy are gradual, and if you don’t pay close attention, you might miss them. It could be that you are a little less worried about things at work once you have a place to discuss them or that you don’t quite resent your partner as much if you’re taking time for yourself to relax. Most clients see some changes within 8-10 sessions; the specifics will vary based on your issue. I will help you identify how you are growing and making progress toward your goals.