Am I a failure because I need therapy?

No, you are courageous and wise in choosing hope, help and change. You might say "I've never been to a therapist. Up until this point in life I have handled things on my own." Having the awareness that you need help is a big step in the right direction of emotional/mental health and healthy relationships. Our culture trains us to believe that we should be able to handle everything on our own. We all, every one of us, need help along the way. There are things that a trained therapist can see and hear about you and your struggles that you are unable to see and hear. You will learn new things about yourself that will lead to greater health and freedom in your life and relationships.

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

The main difference is that a therapist can be objective. There are things a therapist can say that you might not hear from your friend or family member. A therapist can help you approach your situation in a new way– teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself.

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Is everything I share confidential?

Therapy is completely confidential. The only exceptions to confidentiality are state-mandated reporting for child abuse, elder abuse, disabled-adult abuse and court-ordered documents.

 

Why shouldn’t I just take medication?

Medication can be effective but cannot solve all issues. Sometimes medication is needed in conjunction with therapy. Many clients who come to therapy never need medication, some need it temporarily and some need it longer term. We will work together to navigate whether medication is needed. I can make a referral to a psychiatrist if medication is needed. Sometimes primary care physicians will prescribe medications as well.

 

What do I need to do before my appointment?

Before you come to your first appointment you will fill out paperwork online or come early to fill out paperwork in the office. Your responses will give me a sense of your current struggles and your overall health and history, including family history. At your first appointment I will just get to know you and hear about your life and present struggles.

 

What will we do during the first few appointments?

I just want to get to know you and hear about your present struggles and find out a bit about your relationships, present and past. We will discuss what you want to change in your life and your goals. We will create a Treatment Plan, which will guide therapy sessions. We will discuss EMDR Therapy and Traditional Talk Therapy and discern which is best for you. This is a decision you make. Therapy is about you.

 

If I choose Traditional Talk Therapy what will we do?

In each session we will check-in on what we discussed the week before, check-in on progress on your goals and address what you want to talk about for that week's session. I usually give some sort of homework at the end of the session, which may include reflecting on a new insight, practicing a new skill or taking care of yourself in a new way.

 

If I choose to participate in EMDR Therapy what will we do?

You will be asked what present situations or triggers tend to bring up the problem or issue you are seeking help for. You will be asked what are your goals related to this issue, how you want to feel, relate, think or behave in the future. We will spend some time eliciting memories that are associated with this issue. We will create a target sequence plan based on these memories and reprocess these targets using bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, pulsing, light). The goal is to decrease the disturbance level of these memories and to have a positive belief about yourself rather than the negative belief you have been practicing without even knowing it.​

 

How often and how many sessions will it take to accomplish my goals?

It is not possible to tell you this before we meet and discuss what is going on in your life. Generally we can accomplish goals more quickly in EMDR Therapy, but with Traditional Talk Therapy I am solution-focused and hope you will begin to see results quickly. When you begin I recommend weekly sessions so that we can gain traction. We can move to every two weeks then once a month when you feel you are ready. I am trying to work myself out of a job, so I will not suggest continued therapy if you have reached your goals. Of course, how often we meet is up to you.

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What do I do or say if I don't think we have a good fit?

I generally recommend 2-3 sessions for you to decide whether I am a good fit for you. No offense is taken if I am not a good fit for you. A good fit, a good therapeutic relationship, is essential. I can refer you to another therapist who might be a better fit.

 

What do I do or say if I don't like something you say, or ask or the direction you are taking?

If at any point you do not like something I say or ask or do, please tell me. Therapy is all about you and I want you to be honest about what you are experiencing. If you feel like therapy is not moving in the right direction it is totally appropriate for you to tell me. It is acceptable at any point in therapy for you to decide you no longer want to attend. I would rather hear this from you than have you not show up so that we have the chance to talk it through.

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