How do I know if I need therapy?

It is sometimes an intimidating task to determine if therapy would be helpful for your situation.  Further, reaching out to find out more information about the therapy process can feel impossible. Often, people are struggling, and just sending an email or picking up the phone seems daunting.  But, just taking the first step in reaching out can sometimes provide relief from symptoms.  I also find that it helps to arrange a brief phone consultation.  In this way, you can start connecting on a human level, ask questions, and make a determination about whether therapy is appropriate for you and whether I may be a good fit for your needs.

What does our first meeting look like?

The first therapy session is primarily focused on us getting to know each other.  In this way, we can build our “therapeutic alliance,” which is an important factor in the effectiveness of therapy.  At the same time, please know that we will be building our relationship over time.  After the first session, my goal is for you to feel understood, listened to, and optimistic about what the relationship can become in our work together.  In the first session, it is also important for me to get a holistic understanding of your strengths and needs, so I often ask more questions in the first meeting than in subsequent sessions.  This format allows us to create an effective treatment plan that will pave the way for a healthier and happier you!

What does a typical session look like?

Your ongoing sessions will vary, depending on what are your current needs.  I usually start with a “check-in” to find out what has been going on in your life between sessions.  Then, we can determine what would be the most useful.  Often, we are building on concepts and skills that we have worked on in previous sessions.  So, we might be building up your toolbox of mindfulness and self-soothing strategies.  Or, we might be continuing work toward increasing your awareness of and relationship with your thought processes.  Finally, if we are doing EMDR or IFS work, we will be continuing from where we left off in the previous session.

How frequently will we meet?

I am open to meeting on a weekly or a bi-weekly basis, depending on your therapeutic needs and on your schedule.  I prefer to meet more consistently in the beginning of therapy so that we can develop our relationship as well as gain some positive momentum.  However, I understand that most people are juggling many aspects of their lives, including jobs, relationships, parenting, and, most importantly some fun.  So, every other week can also be an option.  Toward the end of therapy, it is sometimes useful to gradually decrease in frequency to evaluate your readiness for discontinuing therapy and flying solo!  So, at this point in the process, I do support a monthly session.

What material am I expected to bring to the session?

I don’t expect you to prepare in any formal way prior to our session.  However, it is sometime helpful to think about what has been impacting you since we saw each other last.  It is perfectly fine if you didn’t have an earth-shattering experience since our last session.  I am interested in all aspects of your experience, no matter how big or small you perceive them to be.

Am I expected to do anything between sessions?

Sometimes, I may ask you to think about something, bring your awareness to something, or practice a skill that we have covered between sessions.  Of course, this is your process, and you can determine what energy you have to dedicate.  Ultimately, I hope that our work together may inspire you to transfer concepts to your daily life.

How does teletherapy impact the effectiveness of therapy?

At first, I was nervous about the impact of teletherapy on the therapeutic process as well.  However, I have found that my clients and I are moving right along, just as we were able to do in the office.  Further, I have found that there are added benefits to the teletherapy model.  I notice that clients feel comfortable relatively quickly, due to being in their safe environment.  It is not uncommon for me to see clients in session with a cup of tea in hand or a cozy blanket or pet in their lap!  It is also convenient in that clients do not have to plan for travel time.  Finally, I believe that it is important for us to see each other’s facial expressions.  A great deal of communication takes place non-verbally, and a mask (in-person) can really hinder this process.

What types of challenges have you helped people overcome?

I have helped people overcome a variety of challenges in their lives.  Some of the most common challenges include: improving unfulfilling or problematic relationships, overcoming depression and general or social anxiety, regulating strong emotions such as grief, sadness or anger, and healing the wounds of traumatic experiences.  Over the course of therapy, my clients typically develop a more compassionate relationship toward themselves and others and are more prepared for the ups and downs that life inevitably brings.