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. Everyone needs help now and then. It’s actually a strength to recognize when you need help, and brave to reach out. You already have coping skills and wisdom, but perhaps they’re not helping as they have in the past because you’re overwhelmed by your current concerns. In our work together, I’ll help you reconnect to your inborn strengths, learn new coping skills, and find healthy ways to apply them to your current life experience.
What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?
It may seem more logical to confide in a friend or family member who knows you and your history. But that person may or may not be able to offer advice that is helpful, nonjudgmental, and without expectations.
When you talk to a licensed clinical psychologist you are confiding in an experienced professional trained to listen without judgment or expectations, and able to offer objective and therapeutic feedback. You will be invited to safely explore your responses to your experiences, and will be taught new and healthy coping skills for managing your current challenges and any future difficulties.
Furthermore, therapy is completely confidential. You won’t have to worry about others “knowing my business”, as you might after confiding in a friend or family member. The psychotherapy office is
When you confide in a friend or family member, no matter how trusted, you may still worry that others will end up “knowing my business.”
A clinical psychologist maintains a therapeutic setting to ensure your emotional and physical safety, and to offer reassurance that your private concerns and intimate thoughts will be kept in respectful confidence.
Why shouldn’t I just take medication?
Medication alone cannot solve all issues. What medication does is treat the symptoms. Our work together is designed to explore the root of the issue, dig deep into your behavior and teach strategies that can help you accomplish your personal and/or relational goals.
Medication can be effective and is sometimes needed in conjunction with therapy. If additional support is needed, I work closely with local homeopaths and psychiatrists to help you find the best fit for your needs.
How does it work? What do I have to do in sessions?
Because each person has different concerns and goals, therapy will be different depending on the individual. I use evidence-based treatments while tailoring my therapeutic approach to your specific needs. Because I believe that psychotherapy is most effective when collaborative, you will be invited to participate in determining your goals and the ways in which you would like to meet them.
How long will it take?
Unfortunately, this is not possible to say in a general FAQs page because everyone’s circumstances are unique. The number of sessions needed to help you to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the circumstances 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?
I am so glad you are dedicated to getting the most out of your sessions. Your active participation and dedication is crucial to your success. Although I have found that the best results occur when we meet twice a week, I understand that many people prefer a once weekly meeting schedule due to time and/or financial limitations. Either way, it’s the work you do outside of our sessions that will help you reach the personal growth and development you desire.
My partner and I are having problems. Should we be in individual counseling or come together?
If you are concerned about your relationship, and you would both like to work with me, I would initially work with you together. After this work, if one of you would like to continue with individual sessions, I will work with only one of you, and provide a referral to a trusted colleague for the other partner. If I were to work with both of you individually, trust concerns may arise between you and your partner.
Likewise, moving from individual into couple’s work with the same therapist is also discouraged because of potential trust issues.