I’ve never done therapy before, and I’m used to handling things on my own. Shouldn’t I be able to do this without needing help?

I have a lot of respect for people who ask for help when they need it. It takes a lot of courage. More than that, in therapy with me, our focus will always be for you to be the calm, confident, and compassionate leader of your own system. I like to say that I’m always trying to work myself out of a job–and because I deeply believe in your own capacity to heal, the ultimate goal of the help I offer is that you will feel in charge of yourself.

What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?

In some ways, it can be really similar; however, a mental health professional is trained to help you approach your situation in a new way– teach you a new way of relating to yourself and your problems, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself all while offering relevant information supported by research, learned through years of study and experience. Furthermore, counseling is completely confidential, so that you can say what needs to be said or explore what needs to be explored without worrying about the impact it can have on the people in your life. As your therapist, I am able to have compassion for you without an agenda for you, and can use my training and experience to help.

Why shouldn’t I just take medication?

Medication can be effective but it alone cannot solve all issues, and research supports that it works best in conjunction with mental health therapy. If you’d like to start counseling with me, I’m happy to talk through questions you have about medication, and help you find referrals to medication providers.

How does it work? What do I have to do in sessions?

Because each person has different intentions for counseling, it can look different depending on the individual. Our phone consultation and our first session will be spent really understanding your specific needs from therapy–that way, we can make sure I am the right fit for you.

How long will it take?

Unfortunately, this is not possible to say, as this can vary based on many different factors. Everyone’s circumstances and goals for therapy are unique; however, it is important to me that you receive the benefits of counseling, and many of my clients experience those benefits in big and small ways with the first 6 weeks. I am always open to discussing what is working and what isn’t along the way. I will trust your instinct, and help you find what will.