Frequently Asked Questions

What is counseling?

Counseling is a working relationship in which you share thoughts, beliefs, and experiences with a trained professional in hopes that they can help you establish a new, healthy “normal.” It requires trust, vulnerability, and open communication to be most effective. A real therapy session is not like the ones portrayed in movies and television shows. We believe every person could benefit from therapy in some way; think of it like going to the gym for your mind. Counselors act as a guide to help you achieve your goals. It is important that you feel comfortable being genuine with your counselor to elicit the most effective results.

I had a negative experience with counseling in the past. Why should I try again?

Some people have been forced to see a therapist by their parents, their work, or even the government. Naturally when you are forced to do something, you are resistant to doing it. Counselors are individuals who have different personalities and energies so maybe your counselor wasn’t a good fit for you! There are many different counseling styles. Some tend to focus more on early childhood experiences while others may be solution-focused. Just because you haven’t found the right fit yet, does not mean that counseling will not work for you.

I am embarrassed or ashamed about seeking professional help. Does that mean something is wrong with me?

We typically do not blame or shame children for not knowing how to do something they have never learned. Yet as adults, we put tremendous pressure on ourselves to know it all and do it all. If no one ever taught you how to appropriately express or talk about your emotions, it is unreasonable to expect that you just “know” how to do that. Being vulnerable and communicating your needs to others is not mainstream in our society; however, that does not mean it is not important and necessary for healthy development. It may not have been safe to be honest and talk about what was going on growing up, so you learned to keep it inside. Therapy can help reduce this pressure.

I am nervous about my first session. What should I expect?

Asking for help is not easy in most scenarios, so we applaud you for taking that first step. Looking at this website and researching counseling/counselors in general is evidence that you want to feel better. The first few sessions to get to know you and understand your challenges, perspective, and background. Paying attention to observable patterns and narrowing the focus on where you want to begin. If we do not believe we are the best match therapeutically, we can refer you to one of our colleagues who may be a better fit for your needs.