Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling

What is counseling?
In my opinion, counseling at its basic form is a commitment and investment in yourself or your relationship. It takes time, energy and costs money. Some parts will be fun, some uncomfortable. Most importantly I think of counseling as a process in which you are allowed to feel vulnerable and safe at the same time. You can heal parts of your past. You can become more secure and confident. You can establish healthy boundaries with those around you. You can have a healthy and supportive relationship. You can become whole and happy. 

What is it like to be in counseling?
Each of us are unique. We have led different lives, experienced different ups- different downs. My weakness may be your strength and vice versa. Because no 2 of us are the same, the process of counseling will not be. That being said there are common threads; you will not be judged and you won't feel alone.  

Why should I see a therapist/counselor?
Counseling isn't for everyone nor is it essential to go every week for your whole life. If you come in to counseling and don't feel like it's for you, that is completely fine. Some will get more benefit from different avenues of support. I at the very least can help you with other resources or ideas about how to get the help you deserve.  

How does counseling work?
Rarely are our minds calm and settled. We think about millions of things each and every day. We compare our lives to others, we are inundated with information about how we should look, what we should buy, how we should feel. Add in anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem to the mix and it's not difficult to imagine becoming overwhelmed. We have too many negative thoughts in our head, too many negative feelings in our heart to hold it all in. Counseling will provide a safe space for you to express yourself and release those thoughts/feelings. With less noise in your mind and body, you can begin to discover how you want to grow and what steps need to be taken to get there. My first priority is to never let you feel judged for what you say in a counseling session and to never let you feel alone in this journey.  

How often should I come to counseling?
Most women and couples come to counseling once or twice a week depending on what is needed at the time. Clients in crisis can greatly benefit from coming in twice per week then reduce to one session per week once things settle.

Why do you want to work with women?
When I first entered into the field of counseling, I purposefully took on a variety of clients with a broad range of issues. I first, hoped to let my experience lead me to discover my niche and second, wanted to develop the skills to work with anyone. It didn't take long to uncover my passion of working with women. I love witnessing women transform into the best version of themselves. Whether it's dealing with a pattern of bad relationships, low self-esteem or an unexpected life change, I have seen many women start therapy without a voice or much hope and terminate with complete empowerment and strength.

Why do you want to work with couples?
Relationships when they are good have the power to lift both individuals up. There is nothing quite like feeling completely supported by another person whom you love and care about. But sometimes life, present or past, gets in the way of a happy relationship. Maybe you have never learned how to deal with conflicts or there is something getting in the way of connecting fully. Infidelity, poor communication, lack of sexual intimacy are additional potential burdens placed relationships and in turn ourselves. When couples are in distress, it can suck your energy dry and life isn't very satisfying when you spend so much of your time arguing or feeling contemptuous. Couples counseling can be challenging but so greatly rewarding. It's amazing to see a couple move from a place of distress and dissatisfaction to complete commitment and love.