Frequently Asked Questions
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. Asking for help when it feels overwhelming is one of the most courageous things you can do. Letting someone else into the ‘messy side’ of life is vulnerable & hard. It is also extremely rewarding to be fully seen and accepted, in the honesty of your struggle.
What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?
Talk Therapy is a valid therapeutic modality, and sometimes can feel similar to how we might converse with loved ones. There is quite a difference though, in how I listen. I’ll be actively listening through a clinical lens, and will sometimes ask questions that can feel ‘off limits’ or ‘prying’ in typical social situations. Furthermore, counseling 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, and you’ve been confiding in a friend or family member, there is the risk that once you are feeling better you could start avoiding that person so you aren’t reminded of this difficult time in your life.
Why shouldn’t I just take medication?
Medication can be effective but it alone cannot solve all issues. Sometimes medication is needed in conjunction with counseling. Our work together is designed to explore and unpack the problems you are experiencing in order to root out the issues causing the uncomfortable or unwanted symptoms. It is very possible that medication can be a helpful support, and something you should talk to your Primary Care Provider or a psychiatrist about.
How does it work? What do I have to do in sessions?
Sessions will sometimes feel like ‘work’ – this often looks like the work of targeting a specific trauma or trigger. You will be aware of this work before it begins. Sometimes a session feels more like chatting with a friend, and focuses on issues that have come up within the last week or two. Together you and I can collaborate on how we’d like the counseling sessions to feel – digging into specific deep work, or checking in and processing week to week situations that arise.
How long will it take?
Everyone’s circumstances are unique. After sitting with you and assessing your needs, I can often give a rough timeline or first ‘goal date’ for our work together, if requested. Please be aware though that sometimes this process can take time. It takes extreme courage to face anything that puts you out of your ‘window of tolerance’. I ask clients to enter into counseling with an open mind regarding timeframe. Change often occurs when we are truly ready to take risk, and not before.
I want to get the most out of therapy. What can I do to help?
Break out that journal! Practice identifying emotions now and where they reside in your body. Any form of emotional processing that you’re able to do outside of session is a victory in your journey towards body awareness and tolerating uncomfortable emotion. I would also recommend looking through Recommended Books and Workbooks to see if there’s any specific book you’d like to pair with your counseling sessions.