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. People who ask for help know when they need it and have the ability to reach out. Everyone needs help now and then. You already have some strengths that you’ve used before, but for whatever reason those strengths aren’t working right now. Perhaps this problem feels overwhelming and is making it difficult to access your past strengths. In our work together, I’ll help you identify what those strengths are and how to implement them again in what is happening now.
What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?
The difference is that a psychologist is a professional who 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, you may need professional support to work through it fully and effectively.
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.
How does it work? What do I have to do in sessions?
In general, therapy is a safe setting where you can talk about anything that’s on your mind. I don’t have any rules or expectations about what you may need to process on any given day. All you have to do is show up open to explore your thoughts and feelings. However, because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. I tailor my therapeutic approach to each patient’s unique needs and concerns.
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 therapy 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 therapy in the first place.
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 be happy to work with both of you together. If after starting this work, one of you would also like to begin individual therapy, I will refer you to a trusted colleague for individual treatment.
It is not helpful to move from individual therapy into couple’s work with the same therapist because of potential trust issues. If you and I are working together in individual therapy and you would like to begin couple’s therapy with your partner, I will refer you to a colleague.