FAQs

I’ve never talked to a counselor. What should I expect? 

First and foremost, this is a personal relationship and it's important that you feel I am the right fit for you. This is why I offer a free 15-minute consultation before you ever book to ensure we are a good fit. Typically, once you decide to start therapy with me, we will spend the first couple sessions talking in depth about your goals, what brought you to therapy, and discussing important information about your history so we can develop a plan and prioritize what is most important to you in our work together. After we do this, we will decide on frequency and format of our appointments based on our treatment plan and what fits into your schedule. 

What should I talk about in therapy?

No topic is off limits in therapy! A unique benefit of therapy is that topics we typically feel are "taboo" or uncomfortable to talk about in our daily lives are all completely appropriate and I welcome you to discuss them in our sessions. These are often the topics we can benefit the most from addressing and resolving in a gentle and non-judgmental way. By discussing these concerns in therapy, the weight of shame, guilt, and self-doubt is significantly lightened and we can begin to find solutions together. 

What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?

A mental health professional can help you approach your situation in a new way– teach you new skills, help you gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment, bias, or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. Furthermore, counseling is completely confidential. This gives you a space to process and work through topics without worrying about others knowing personal aspects of your life or fearing that what you need to discuss could negatively impact your personal relationships.

Why shouldn’t I just take medication?

Medication can be an effective tool but cannot solve everything on its own. Sometimes medication is needed in conjunction with counseling and sometimes counseling is sufficient to address your concerns. Our work together is designed to explore and unpack what you are experiencing to find the root cause of your symptoms, not just treat symptoms alone. This equips you with invaluable tools, self-awareness, and growth you can carry with you well beyond your time in therapy.

How does it work? What do I have to do in sessions?

Because each person has different presenting concerns and goals for counseling, the work we do will look different depending on the individual. This is why I take substantial time to get to know you and understand your goals so I can tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs.

How long will it take?

Unfortunately, this is not possible to say in a general FAQs page. Everyone’s circumstances are unique to them and the length of time counseling 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 counseling 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 will be crucial to your success. What your participation looks like can vary based on your individual goals but some ways you are more likely to benefit from therapy include:

• Evaluating if you are open and willing to do the empowering and sometimes challenging work to address your concerns. 
• Having an idea of what you wish to accomplish from therapy.
• Being present during session. You deserve this time for you. That means blocking out time in your busy schedule and showing up for yourself by not taking work calls or answering texts and emails during session.
• Applying what we discuss by practicing outside of session. I will help you figure out how this can fit into your life and set short-term goals to make this more attainable. 
• Practicing vulnerability. This is a big one and doesn't come easily, so don't worry if you're not there yet. We will work together to build trust and support over time. Just taking the first step to reach out is an act of vulnerability in itself.