ABOUT THERAPY
We all have times in our lives in which we struggle. It is important to recognize the need for assistance during these times and ask for help. I understand that this is often difficult and I want to make these steps as easy as possible for you. What you are going through is common and nothing to be ashamed of. There are people who can help, even if it is not me. I believe that there is the right therapist out there for each of us. Sometimes we just have to search to find the therapist with whom we are comfortable talking to, and can trust and rely on in times of need. Because of this, if at any time you are not comfortable with continuing therapy with me,
I am more than happy to help you find a therapist who better fits your needs.
What is individual therapy?
Individual Therapy consists of one-on-one therapeutic sessions with a trained and licensed mental health practitioner in-person or via telehealth services. Building a therapeutic relationship of trust and respect between the client and therapist is the first step. Client's goals are met by processing how moods are related to thought patterns and behaviors, challenging thought patterns, building tools for coping with stressors, and changing problematic behaviors, feelings, and thoughts by discovering their deeper meanings and motivations.
Why do people go to therapy?
The reason that people go to therapy varies from person to person. When a person is struggling with functioning in certain areas of their life, like at home, work or school, or in relationships, it is appropriate for them to seek therapy in order to gain better control over their life. People often seek therapy to work through traumatic events from their past that might be affecting their current life, or they might be struggling to maintain a relationship, or experiencing anxiety, depression, or ADHD symptoms that are impacting their life. Grief often brings people to seek therapy because it is a difficult experience... and we all experience grief at some point in our life. Grief is not only something we go through when a loved one dies, but we may also grieve the loss of a relationship or marriage, children moving away from home, or the loss of our youth as we age.
How long will I have to be in therapy?
The length of your time in therapy is also individualized to your specific needs. It will depend on how much work you put into making positive changes in yourself and your life, both in session and in your everyday life. The length of each session varies, but most sessions last between from 45-55 minutes. Some people schedule sessions weekly, others might schedule sessions every other week, or even once a month or longer, once significant progress has been made. I have found that starting with weekly sessions works best, then we can taper down to every other week or less often as your concerns improve.
What will I have to do while in therapy?
The first session is spent gathering information about your history, current and past symptoms, as well as identifying the goals you want to work on while in therapy. Subsequent therapy sessions focus on processing feelings related to experiences and problem solving how to better handle difficult situations. You might discuss certain events from your past that could be affecting you in your present life. You might work on changing the way you think about certain things in your life, or develop skills to help you cope with life's difficulties. Regardless, the work you do in session will depend on your individual needs and therapeutic goals. You might receive "homework" at times, which could include keeping track of moods or behaviors, or worksheets or activities to further the healing process outside of session.
What information will I have to share with my therapist?
The information you share with your therapist depends on your unique situation and what goals you wish to address in therapy. Your past will likely be discussed, but sessions usually focus more on addressing your current concerns, which often relate to your past experiences, and creating change to improve upon your life and ability to function. You will not be forced to share details about your past that you may not be comfortable with or are not ready to share. It is possible to start addressing your concerns without having to share extensive details about certain events from your past. Often times though, the concerns we have in our present life are triggered by something that happened in our past, but we can carefully navigate through that in session without risking further pain. Personal information shared in therapy is kept confidential.
What therapeutic treatment modality can I expect?
Because our concerns, learning styles, and goals are unique to each of us, I believe that there is not a singular therapeutic approach to utilize throughout the therapeutic process. Therefore, I take an eclectic approach, including, but not limited to talk therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and psychoanalysis, in building a therapeutic relationship with my clients in order to best address the concerns that brought them to therapy.
What can I expect from Telehealth?
Telehealth is the delivery of behavioral health services using interactive technologies (video or other electronic forms of communication) between a practitioner and a client who are not in the same physical location. The interactive technologies used in telehealth incorporate network and software security protocols to protect the confidentiality of client information. Shortly before a scheduled telehealth sessions, clients receive a message via text or email which includes the individual link to the session. I utilize Telehealth by Simple Practice for telehealth sessions. Clients will need to download that app if using mobile.
