Questions About Counseling


  • can therapy help me?

    Therapy can be an important part of your process toward gaining a better understanding of your life's challenges. Therapy can help you better manage your feelings of stress, anger or sadness, find solutions to work/family/relational problems, enhance your coping skills when under stress or in a crisis and gain a better understanding of your behavior patterns that may be contributing to your symptoms.


    In a safe and confidential space, a mental health therapist will work with you to gain an understanding of your mental health condition.  You will collaborate on defining your wellness goals and establishing a stable and dependable plan of treatment. 

  • Do I  need therapy?

    Everyone experiences sadness, anxiety, loss, stress and other challenges in their life.  At times you may have the skills and support to get through them and at other times you may find that those skills no longer work and you need help. There is no shame in being self aware and recognizing when you need extra support. Therapy is an opportunity for you to take responsibility for where you are in life and take the steps necessary to change your situation for the better. Statistics show that the earlier someone seeks help, the easier it is to get through the situation. There doesn't need to be a stigma around seeking strategies to make the one life you have more joyful and fulfilling.


  • What is therapy like?

    Every person enters therapy with different challenges and goals. Therefore the therapy process will depend on the individual.  Overall, you can expect to collaborate with a therapist to help guide you through your everyday challenges.  Depending on your specific needs you may seek the help of a specialist to work on a career change or a recent traumatic event.  To begin the process you will seek information on various mental health professionals and contact a few to meet with.  It is important to make sure the therapeutic relationship is a good fit so you will want to consult with a few.  Some therapists offer short term/brief therapy where you meet for a few sessions to tackle a very specific challenge and others offer longer term therapy.  You can expect a variety of interventions to be used such as talk therapy and perhaps expressive/art therapy for example.  You will schedule weekly sessions at first and evaluate the process as you move along. If there are other health professionals involved in your treatment, your therapist may ask you to sign a Release of Information for them to speak with these professionals to maintain a coordination of care.  You may be given homework or tasks to do outside of session to reflect on at your next appointment.  For the best results it is important that you are ready to be an active participant in your treatment process.


  • Will we talk about remain confidential?

    Yes, Confidentiality is upheld in the highest regard throughout the therapeutic relationship. When meeting with your therapist for the first time they will provide you with their Professional Disclosure Statement and review confidentiality as well as your rights throughout treatment.  Informed consent is a foundation for a trusting relationship and a successful process.