Answers to Common Questions

I don’t like airing my business to a stranger. How is talking to a therapist more helpful than talking to a friend or family member?

Discussing our personal lives can be difficult at times, especially when we are really struggling through a rough patch.  A big benefit of talking to a therapist is that the personal relationship biases and judgments that exist in personal relationships are not present. In therapy we will have a working relationship, which offers a more objective and “outside” perspective.  By offering insights through a therapeutic lens, I can help you navigate through areas you feel stuck in by introducing neutral support you may not be able to get from those who are close to you.

If I’m in therapy, does that mean I can’t handle my own issues?

Not at all.  Being in therapy does not mean you cannot handle life’s problems.  On the contrary, it shows incredible strength and self-awareness to recognize there’s an issue that’s not getting better (and possibly getting worse), and that you may benefit from discussing it with someone who is trained in that particular area.  By showing up to therapy, you are making the decision to take action in resolving an issue rather than remaining in discomfort or distress.

I’ve been doing things the same way for so long, I don’t see why it would change. How can therapy possibly help?

Change can be difficult to get on board with, as it means breaking away from the comfort of what we know and patterns we are used to (even if those patterns are unhealthy).  The unknown can be an uncomfortable territory to consider walking through.  However, this unknown can lead you to insights that have yet to be discovered. Much of therapy is about uncovering the  underlying root(s) of a specific issue or core beliefs that influence the way we think about ourselves and others. Through therapy, you will be able to increase self-awareness, challenge negative belief systems, and explore new and healthier ways to view yourself and your place in the world.

How many sessions will I need?

Short answer: it depends.  Therapy is a voluntary commitment and its outcome is ultimately dependent on the work you put into your treatment.  At the onset of sessions, we will determine the goals of treatment (i.e., what desired change you’d like to see as a result of therapy).  During our time together, we will periodically revisit these goals and track your progress. While we will discuss and practice the work that needs to be done, it will be up to you to implement that work in the time between sessions.  Determining a good time to end sessions will be treated as a collaborative discussion between us, although you are free to end sessions whenever you wish.