New to Therapy?

I recognize that it can be difficult to take that first step and seek therapy. I provide a safe, supportive environment where you can feel comfortable talking and begin to get the help that you desire.

Questions you might have:

What will the initial therapy session be like?

The consultation session last for an hour. During that time you will be asked to talk a little about what led you to come into therapy. Often people don’t know specifically what brings them to therapy, they just know that they are feeling unhappy. It is usually helpful to talk about your family history and your present day life. This may include relationships, vocational and recreational activities.

You will be asked about any medical problems you may be having and your overall physical health. We will talk about what your goals are for therapy. Again, these may not be clearly defined and may change during the course of therapy.

Towards the end of the consultation we will discuss whether we think it would be beneficial to work together. At that time practical considerations such as fees, length of treatment and scheduling will be discussed. Scheduling is usually once a week and we will choose a mutually convenient time when we can meet each week.

What are the weekly sessions like?

Session usually last 45 minutes. During that time you will usually be asked to talk about any concerns or problems you are having. Our work is a collaboration with both patient and psychotherapist participating actively. The therapist listens actively and also provides feedback and information in order to facilitate the process. Although it is not easy, you will be asked to try to talk about whatever come to mind. This may include your hopes and fears, feelings and relationships.

What if I can’t talk about those things?

I understand that it is often difficult to talk about personal issues with a stranger and that trust takes time to develop. Therefore, I strive to provide a non-judgmental and comfortable environment where you can begin to feel free to talk about your experiences.

What benefits may I expect from therapy?

The goals of therapy vary according to the individual. In general therapy can lead to personal growth and improvement in relationships as well as the ability to enjoy your life more fully.

Some of the benefits may include:

-Improved ability to develop and maintain satisfying relationships. -Increased ability to engage in and take pleasure from meaningful and fulfilling vocational and avocational activities. -Enhanced ability to manage stress, conflict, and anger. -Improved problem solving skills. -Increased self-confidence and the ability to take risks and try new things. -Symptom reduction. For example: amelioration of depressive and anxiety symptoms, which interfere with your ability to enjoy life.