How do I know if I need therapy?

This answer varies widely across individuals, but if you find that you are experiencing symptoms that are impacting your daily functioning then it may be time to consider therapy. Symptoms may include intrusive thoughts, self-doubt, lack of desire to engage in activities, hypervigilance, and increased tearfulness, to name a few. Impacts on daily functioning may include challenges at work or school, frequent arguments within relationships, and emotional reactivity that feels outside of your control.

What is therapy like?

Therapy is a professional relationship that is created between the therapist and client, wherein, clients will be asked to reflect on their past and present experiences, behaviors, emotions, and thoughts. Therapy can initially make challenges harder, before they get better, as individuals are looking deeper into themselves to make change. The therapist will guide clients in this thought process and aid them in making connections about themselves and identifying any growth areas the client would like to make. The therapist will also provide coping skills and tools to build emotional resiliency, the capacity for self-reflection, and the ability to ground oneself.

How long is therapy?

Therapy processes can range from a few months to a few years, depending on the nature of the symptoms and challenges. Again, this is varied across clients, however, it has been shown that the more committed and consistent clients are in engaging in therapy, the faster outcomes are seen.

How do I find the right therapist?

Therapist-client fit has been proven to be the most important part of therapeutic success. It is essential that client’s feel comfortable, seen, and supported by their therapist in order to engage in deep and meaningful work. Clients will have to inquire within themselves if they feel these areas are met with their therapist. It is okay to seek out a different therapist if you feel they are not the right fit for you. All clients have different needs and preferences.

Are medications prescribed?

If you are meeting with a psychologist, they do not prescribe medications. You may be thinking of a psychiatrist- a medical doctor who prescribes psychiatric mediations. Therapists can often discuss the option of medication with clients and support them in their decisions to see a psychiatrist. Medication and therapy in tandem provide support for many mental health challenges.

Is therapy confidential?

In most circumstances— yes! Therapists work diligently to protect the confidentiality of their clients. There are a few instances when confidentiality is broken, largely surrounding safety concerns, and your therapist will review those exceptions with you during the initial process of starting therapy.

What can I expect from a first session?

During our first session we will review the general administrative and ethical logistics for our sessions. I will describe my therapeutic style in more detail and explain how I structure sessions. I allow clients to choose if they'd like to start the first session in a more open-ended, unstructured fashion, or, if they'd like more structured questions. The goal with either approach is for me to gather the appropriate background information that allows us to have a shared understanding of your experiences. We will begin working on shared treatment plan goals during the first few sessions as well.