What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?
The difference is between someone who can do something, and someone who has the training and experience to do that same thing professionally. A mental health professional can help you approach your situation in a new way– teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. Furthermore, therapy is completely confidential. You won’t have to worry about others “knowing my business.” Lastly, if your situation provokes a great deal of negative emotion, if you’ve been confiding in a friend or family member, there is the risk that the help they gave could begin to negatively change the foundation of that relationship.
Can medication replace therapy?
Medication alone may not help us process and grow. What medication can do is help to treat some of the negative physical symptoms we may be experiencing. Our work together is designed to explore the root of the issue, dig deep into your thinking and feeling and help with new direction in order to accomplish your personal or relational goals. Medication can be an effective and is sometimes needed in conjunction with therapy.
How does it work? What do I have to do in sessions?
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. I will tailor my therapeutic approach to help best meet your specific needs.
How long will it take?
Unfortunately, this is not an easy question to answer. Everyone’s circumstances are unique, which contributes to the length of time therapy can take. For some therapy is rather short-term, lasting only six to nine months. For others therapy can last for a couple of years or longer.
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 both of you together. After this work, if one of you would like to continue in individual sessions, I could work with only one of you. While not impossible, it can be tricky moving from individual therapy into couple’s therapy with the same therapist because of potential trust issues.