FAQs

How do I know when I should seek therapy?

There are several reasons when you might consider therapy. If you find yourself feeling stuck, struggling with difficult decisions, attempting to process something that has happened to you, going through a transition, or feeling overwhelmed with any area of your life, it could be helpful to talk to a therapist. Other times, you might find that certain feelings or emotional states (i.e. sadness, anger, frustration, depression, hopelessness, racing thoughts, confusion) are visiting more often than usual and are getting in the way of your every day life. This could be a helpful time to seek therapy. Or if you find yourself struggling to communicate in personal, professional, or romantic relationships, therapy can be a useful place to sort through these communication barriers. Sometimes these difficult moments lead to not feeling like yourself or not engaging in activities that were once enjoyable and seeking therapy to explore these matters can certainly be helpful. If you do not resonate with any of the above but rather, are seeking personal development, self-improvement, growth, or wanting to be pro-active in seeking helpful tools, therapy can serve as a safe space to explore your thoughts, strengths, resourcefulness, and to learn more about yourself, your relationship, and/or your family.

What are the benefits of therapy? I can usually handle problems on my own.

While you may be familiar with getting through challenges on your own, if therapy has been a thought or consideration, it could be an indication that additional support can be helpful. In fact, having the self-awareness to realize you could use a supportive perspective from therapy takes courage, self-awareness, and is admirable. There are a number of benefits people gain from participating in therapy. Some of these benefits include:

• Processing childhood hurts and experiencing more freedom, peace, and joy.
• Healing and growing from traumatic or hurtful events
• Challenging familiar feeling/thinking patterns and developing new ones
• Developing skills for improving your relationship with self and others
• Finding resolution to the concerns that led you to therapy
• Seeing an improvement in your mood/relationships/every day life
• Problem-solving skills, Coping strategies, & Stress management
• Discovering new ways to communicate and solve problems with your partner or with your family.
• Self-awareness and a deeper sense of connectedness with your mind, body, and soul.
• Tapping into your personal power and improving your self-esteem, self confidence, and overall well-being.
• Living out a VIBRANT life!

What is therapy like?

Every therapy session is unique and is tailored to specific challenges and goals set forth by you and the therapist. The hope is for you to feel comfortable to come as you are and utilize the space to discuss challenges in your life while discovering helpful perspectives/tools/skills. While I mainly focus on having intentional conversations, I also encourage you to connect with your body throughout our sessions so as to feel more whole and connected as you explore challenges and solutions. There might be times when we engage in breathing exercises, meditative experiences, and exploring helpful tools that can aid in achieving your goals. Nevertheless, this is your time to explore meaningful topics or challenges in your life and I encourage you to use your space in a way that feels most helpful.

What can I expect in the first therapy session?

In our first session, a small portion is spent on reviewing paperwork and the policies for our therapeutic work together. This session is also focused on learning background information and history of your challenges, your reason for seeking therapy, and your hopes of what you’d like to see different. It is not unusual to feel nervous during your first appointment but by the end of the session, people find that they feel more comfortable. It will also be important to use the first session as an opportunity to assess goodness of fit and whether my style will fit what you are seeking in this supportive space.

How often should I attend therapy?

Weekly 50min sessions are the standard recommended frequency, however, this may shift depending on your progress and your desired frequency for therapy.

How long should I be in therapy?

The length of time in therapy can vary. Therapy can be short-term or longer-term depending on what you hope to address and gain relief from. Your time in therapy can also depend on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek therapy in the first place. However, it is important to note that there is no time limit or expectation for healing. I do recommend that you check in with yourself throughout your time in therapy to think about the goals you set forth, the challenges you felt upon seeking therapy, and whether you see or feel an improvement. Throughout our therapeutic work together, I also make sure that we discuss ways in which you are improving, growing, flourishing, and living out more vibrantly.

What if my partner/spouse/family will not participate?

I invite you seek out therapy anyway. Therapy can still be effective even if your partner/spouse/family does not partake in therapy. Change starts with self and the positive effects from your growth often ripple into other parts of your life. When you shift, things around shift as well. Please also remember that you cannot force anyone to have the desires for change or growth, however, you can lead by example and seek out the support that you deserve. Sometimes your growth, your joy, and/or you freedom inspires others around you to seek out support in a way that you did in order to reclaim their happiness and well-being.

My partner and I are having problems, should we be in individual therapy or couple’s therapy?

If you both are willing participants, I would highly encourage couple’s therapy in order to explore goals as a unit and find ways to flourish together. However, there are moments when people find it is important to seek out their own individual therapy if they find that they need/want to process individual challenges/traumas on their own that they are unable to process in depth during couple’s counseling. I certainly encourage this as well. If either of you seek out individual therapy while I am working with you as a couple, please note that you will have to work with a different therapist. Even after your work in couple’s therapy, I will only be able to work with one of you if you should wish to continue in individual therapy.

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 will be crucial to your success. Keep that same mindset of wanting to take charge of your growth and keep pushing toward living out a life that you envision and that you deserve. Keep being brave and live vibrantly, one conversation at a time.