FAQ’s

Not at all. People who ask for help know when they need it and have the courage to reach out. Everyone needs help now and then. In our work together, I’ll help you explore and identify your strengths and how to implement them to reduce the influence of the problems you are facing. 

It's great to be able to talk to friends and family because they can provide you with validation and support.  Although therapist also provide you with a caring and supportive environment, they have the training and experience to help you approach your situation in a new way– teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. Furthermore, counseling is completely confidential. You won’t have to worry about others “knowing my business.” Lastly, if your situation provokes a great deal of negative emotion, and you’ve been confiding in a friend or family member, there is the risk that once you are feeling better you could start avoiding that person so you aren’t reminded of this difficult time in your life.

Medication can be effective but it alone cannot solve all issues. Sometimes medication is needed in conjunction with therapy. Our work together is designed to explore and unpack the problems you are experiencing and expand on your strengths that can help you accomplish your personal goals.  Also, we will work on getting you skills that you can use to manage your emotions and thoughts so that you are effective and able to create a life worth living even without medication.

Because each person has different issues and goals for treatment, it will be different depending on the individual. I tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs in a caring yet directive environment.  We'll work together in the first couple of sessions to set goals of treatment according to your priorities and you're vision of a life worth living.  Then, we'll move forward at a pace that works for you, addressing important issues that come up during the week and assigning homework so you can try out different skills that we discuss.  It's the little changes that we do everyday that add up to bigger changes that get us closer to our goals and dreams.

During your initial session, you and your clinician will start building a connection. You'll talk about your personal history, the reasons behind your visit, and what you hope to achieve through therapy.

Your clinician will explain the therapy process and may introduce some useful skills and concepts. They'll also conduct a comprehensive assessment and create an initial treatment plan. These plans are regularly reviewed to accommodate your progress and evolving goals.

Before concluding your first meeting, you and your clinician will set up your next appointment. It's beneficial if you can establish a consistent meeting time. Having a regular slot makes it more likely that you'll meet with your clinician weekly.

Unfortunately, this is not possible to determine since everyone’s circumstances are unique to them and the length of time psychotherapy can take to allow you to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek counseling in the first place.  For the clients participating in the DBT program, treatment lasts anywhere from 6 months to 1 year.   The DBT program's research based protocol suggests participation at least 6 months so clients can learn all the DBT skills but after completing the first round, some clients choose to continue in the program.

Making sure your therapist follows the right treatment model is vital for your recovery. Think about it: would you want your eye doctor to perform heart surgery, saying, "I once took a cardiology class"? Definitely not! Similarly, if you've been recommended for Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), it means a professional thinks you should see an expert in this treatment. It's not just about knowing some of the techniques; choosing an inadequately trained therapist that’s trained, credentialed and offers a comprehensive DBT treatment is crucial for your mental health journey.

I am so glad you are dedicated to getting the most out of your sessions. Your active participation and dedication will be crucial to your success.  In order for treatment to work, it's important that you are committed to work during the sessions, prioritize treatment and follow up with what was discussed during the session.  The best outcomes are seen when we work together as a team and are both rowing in the same direction.

Evidence-based treatment is a concept that guides clinicians in deciding how to care for their clients. Therapists who are dedicated to using evidence-based treatments rely on the latest research findings when selecting their methods. These therapists believe that professional ethics require them to only use methods that research has proven to be effective. This ensures that clients receive the best possible care and have the highest chance of a positive outcome.