Starting therapy can often come with a lot of questions and uncertainty. Here’s some answers and information to help you along this journey.
I want therapy/I think I need therapy. What do I do next?
Congratulations. This is a huge step. You are probably feeling lots of feelings right now. Maybe excitement, feeling ready for change. Maybe fear or anxiety, it feels scary digging into hard stuff. Maybe sadness, realizing how much you’ve been hurting.
The first step is to reach out to me – you can do that by calling or emailing. I will respond to you within 24-48 hours (or the next business day if it is on the weekend). We will talk briefly about what you are wanting to address and I will answer questions you may have. We will set up a time for our initial session. I will send you a link to the client portal to complete paperwork. Then we will have our first session via telehealth. It will be a little different than meeting in person.
What is therapy like? How long will I need to go?
The first session will be focused on getting to know each other. I will ask you questions and listen as you share about yourself and the areas of your life that you may be struggling with or want to change and improve. Ongoing sessions will allow us to check in on progress, explore problems that may arise, learn skills that can help you, and process experiences you have had.
Therapy varies for everyone and that is what makes it so helpful – it really can be tailored to each individual person and their needs. As we work together we will identify the length of time for treatment that best fits you.
I don’t want to tell a complete stranger everything about me. I don’t trust easily. Can’t I just talk to my friends about my problems?
I hear this often. I get it. And the great thing about therapy is that you don’t have to tell me “everything” right away. You don’t even have to trust me right away. I believe trust grows over time. I hope that I can offer you a safe and comfortable place to share whatever you want and need to share and that trust can build between us through that relationship.
Trust is hard for many people, especially people with any experience of trauma. Trauma is hard to talk about. We will take it slow and make sure you have ways to manage and support the feelings that come up as we work through your difficult experiences.
It’s important to have friends and be able to talk with them about the goings-on in our lives. However, sometimes having a friend is just not enough. They are not trained in mental health and they may not be able to be objective in certain situations. There’s nothing wrong with seeking additional help when you need it. Therapy can be beneficial and help you in many areas of your life.
What about medication? Do you do that?
I do not prescribe medication. If you do not have a doctor or psychiatrist that manages medication for you, I am happy to help you find one. I do believe some people benefit from medication to help their mental health. It can be a valuable “tool in the toolbox”.
I am knowledgeable about medications and encourage discussing your thoughts, feelings and experiences with regards to your medication in our sessions, but I do not give advice or recommendations on what to take.