You are lost in the darkness and cannot seem to find your way out.
You have tried to figure it out on your own, but you don’t feel like yourself. You are unable to follow through – but you don’t know the cause.
You want answers and to understand why you cannot seem to shake this. Individual therapy can help you explore the underlying cause or causes for how you feel.
Take the next step – I can help.
Seeking help from a stranger is not easy, but taking that step is a significant journey.
Walking through the door (or clicking on the virtual door) for the first time is the hardest part. You do not know what to expect, and you typically have many misconceptions and stereotypes in your head about what Individual Therapy is.
I will give you a little guide to help you understand Individual Therapy, and then we will discuss how to approach your therapy session, so you know what to expect.
Here’s what Individual Therapy is NOT.
Therapy is not like advice from a friend who will support you but cannot truly understand your problems.
Seeking therapy is not for the weak or those who cannot help themselves.
Here’s what Individual Therapy IS.
Individual Therapy is about receiving direction from a professional guide who will walk through the dark with you and hold a light.
Unlike seeking advice from friends and family, Individual Therapy provides a safe place without judgment. Your therapist also has a legal obligation to focus on your best interests and maintain confidentiality.
Therapy provides a safe place where you can build a toolbox to relieve pain and gain insight.
Most importantly, therapy is for the brave who want to help themselves.
My approach in Individual Therapy is client-centered.
Using this approach means I believe that we all have within us the tools we need. Learned behavior, unpleasant experiences, trauma, and a host of other things often block those tools. When we need them the most, we cannot access them.
This inability to access the tools we need is where suffering happens. My work is to help you find those blocks and remove them to reaccess your tools.
I have a unique skill set to walk alongside you and provide you with support and guidance. Pain and healing are messy. I often hear people in Individual Therapy say things like “you’re going to think this is weird” or “you’re going to think I’m crazy.” There is no “normal” or “right way” for us to exist and thrive.
We are all a little crazy, and that makes us beautiful. We are not supposed to live a life of suffering. We are supposed to learn our lessons and grow into a life of alignment and purpose. Individual Therapy is the map to help you get there.
We start with an initial session.
The initial session is the first step in starting Individual Therapy. This session is a 15–20-minute phone or video call to discuss the process of moving forward with therapy.
Our initial session provides you the opportunity to interview me and ask questions.
During this call, we will determine if I am a good fit for your needs. If I am not, I will refer you to another professional who may be a better fit.
If I am a good fit, we will schedule your first session, and I will send you all the paperwork virtually.
Then, our work together begins.
Therapy sessions are one-on-one and conducted either in person, in my office, or virtually. Sessions typically last 50 minutes and start with weekly meetings.
The therapeutic relationship between myself and my client (you) is the essential part. We will need to establish trust and a good working relationship. There is a lot of work involved in this process, so commitment is key.
You will receive homework assignments and work that you will have to do when not in session. The more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. I cannot do the work for you, but I will invest the same effort you are.
Confidentiality is legally binding in our relationship. There are a few limitations to confidentiality that we will discuss in the initial session. Mostly, I cannot share what you tell me, and I will meet you every step of the way.
At what point are you finished?
There are a few ways that we can end our relationship.
If, at any point, you or I decide I am no longer a good fit for you, I will refer you to another professional. We will close your file if we determine we have done all the work and have achieved your treatment goals.
Often, I have clients who get to a place where they no longer need to come every week. Then, they will schedule sessions on an as-needed basis.
Some come back in for a tune-up when needed. It is best to make these decisions collaboratively. But as the client, you always have the right to decide what is best for you.
Let’s work on gaining clarity for you!
My goal is to partner with you to explore where you are and where you want to go.
Our work together is about meeting your unique needs, and I am committed to taking the journey with you.
Contact me today!