Sometimes finding a therapist can be overwhelming, navigating an endless variety of treatment acronyms, trying to understand what each of them mean and determine which might be a good fit for you. Because there is a seemingly endless range of therapeutic styles, I wanted to share a bit about what therapy with me typically looks like.
I start by developing trust and building a relationship with you. In our first session, I will ask you what your goals are, what your pain points are, and what you would like to focus on. Together, we will develop a plan to achieve these goals, by reviewing the thoughts, behaviors, and emotions currently preventing you from getting there. I will help you develop the skills to manage intense emotions, cool anxious thoughts, and motivate yourself to change (if you decide you want to change). Sometimes this will require hard work, revisiting intense experiences or doing work outside of our therapy sessions. But I will let you lead this process and determine how much time and energy you would like to invest.
When looking for a therapist, the most important thing to remember is that you need someone who you can trust. If you don’t feel comfortable with your therapist, or you simply don’t see eye-to-eye, it will be impossible to open up and be vulnerable. I acknowledge it can be very difficult develop a trusting, empathetic relationship with someone without actually meeting in person. With this in mind, I recommend a free 30-minute consultation for new clients, in which we can get to know each other and determine if it’s the right fit.