Psychotherapy is not easily described in general statements. It varies depending on the personalities of the counselor and client, as well as the particular problems you present. There are many different methods we may use to help you address problems. Psychotherapy is not like a medical doctor visit. Instead, it calls for a very active effort on your part. In order for the therapy to be most successful, you will have to work in between sessions on things we talk about during our sessions and at home.
Psychotherapy can have both benefits and risks. Since therapy often involves discussing unpleasant parts of your life, you may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, anger, frustration or others. On the other hand, therapy has also been shown to have benefits for people who go through it. Therapy often leads to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, and a significant decrease in distress. However, there are no guarantees of what results you will experience.
Your first session(s) will involve an evaluation of your needs. By the end of this process, we will be able to offer some first impressions of what our work might include and a general treatment plan to follow. You should evaluate this information along with your own opinions of whether you feel comfortable working with us.
Therapy involves a large commitment of time, energy, and sometimes money, so you should be careful when choosing a therapist. If you have questions about our procedures, we can discuss them whenever they arise. If your doubts persist, we will be happy to help you set up a meeting with another mental health professional for a second opinion.
