Commonly Asked Questions   

What is therapy?

Therapy is a unique process and relationship between you and a licensed psychotherapist. 

During therapy, you learn about your present condition and your moods, feelings, thoughts and behaviors. The therapy process helps you to better manage your reactions to life’s challenging situations with practical coping skills.

As a professional, the therapist may lend a new perspective to a current or past problem, help you to resolve relationship trouble, and help you gain insight and control of your life.  The real work of therapy is how you use it outside of session.  

What can I expect?

Therapy typically begins as a process of exploration. This will help your therapist get to know you and understand your purpose in seeking therapy and how to help. You and your therapist will be establishing a safe and trusting relationship.

Through the therapeutic process, you will likely gain a deeper understanding of yourself and the concerns that brought you into therapy. This understanding will help you draw some connections and reveal patterns that you may not have seen before. With this self-awareness, you may choose to make changes to improve your quality of life.

Some people feel ready to go out and work on making these changes on their own, while others like to remain in the supportive space provided by the therapeutic relationship while making these changes.

How do I know if therapy is right for me?

People seek out therapy for a number of reasons. Major life events such as loss of a loved one, divorce, conflict within the family, past trauma, or difficulties with a child are a few.

Some may be experiencing problems with their mood or struggling with anxiety.  

Others may be interested in gaining more insight into themselves and learning more about who they are and how they relate to the people and world around them.   

No matter the reason, it is a brave move to seek out therapy.  It takes courage and a willingness to be vulnerable.  It is important to know that therapy is a collaborative process and progress will only be made with your participation.