Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

Question: I have never been to therapy. Isn't it a sign of weakness? 

​

Answer: It’s just the opposite—it’s a strength to reach out for help. Successful people ask for help to create more options and ideas about how to live life. Also, you already have some strengths that you’ve used before, but for whatever reason they aren’t working right now. It may be that this problem feels overwhelming and is making it difficult to act on your past strengths. In our work together, I’ll help you identify what those strengths are and how to restore them in your current situation.

 

​

Question: What’s the difference between talking to a good friend or a therapist?

​

Answer: A therapist has been trained, some at the Master’s level and some at the Doctoral level, on how to assess your problems and provide effective treatments and solutions. A therapist can also help you approach a problem in a new way without judgment and in complete confidence. With a friend, you run the risk of feeling judged—especially if the friend provides advice on your situation. Also, you may shy away from your friend because you have less than complete trust that your issues will not be shared with others.

 

​

Question: If medication can help me, why shouldn’t I just rely on it?

 

Answer: Medication by itself cannot solve all concerns. Medication only treats the symptoms and not the root causes of the problems. Together, our work is aimed at uncovering the root causes of your issue(s) and finding new strategies and behaviors that will help you accomplish your individual and relationship goals. At times, medication can be effective and is needed in conjunction with therapy.

 

​

Question: What will I have to do in the sessions? How does therapy work?

 

Answer: Every person has different issues, concerns, and goals in therapy. Therefore, therapy will be different for each person. I customize my therapeutic approach to your unique needs. I find what works best for you.

 

​

Question: How long will therapy take?

 

Answer: Every person’s situation is unique. The length of time will vary depending on the issues to be solved, your commitment and desire for change, and other factors pertinent to the situation.

 

​

Question: I really want therapy to work. What can I do to help it be successful?

 

Answer: This is a great question! Just by you asking this question you are showing your eagerness, enthusiasm, and responsibility—all of which will help you succeed in therapy. Your enthusiastic participation and dedication is vital to your success. In addition, because we only see each other typically for one session a week, it will be the work you do outside of our sessions that will really help you realize your personal growth and development.

 

​

Question: My partner and I are having issues, so should we be in individual counseling or come together?

​

Answer: Generally, if both of you see problems in the relationship and if you both would like to come to therapy, coming to therapy together is recommended. After this work is completed, if one of you wanted to continue in individual therapy with me, that would also be recommended. However, in general it is not helpful to move from individual work to couple’s work with the same therapist. This can be discussed with me at the very beginning of therapy.