Counseling as a process
Psychotherapy or Counseling takes place when a professional relationship between a professional counselor and you, the client, is established to work on strategies to overcome life's adversities and personal challenges. You and I will collaborate on defining problems or questions you face and exploring alternatives and options specific to your situation. As your counselor, I will support you in the discovery of unique solutions that will result from expanded awareness of who you are and what your strengths are. I will meet you "wherever you are" in life and will help you gain a different perspective on life while empowering you to approach life's problems with unexpected solutions.
What to expect
We will collaborate on defining problems that you are facing and exploring options specific to your situation. As your counselor, I will support you in the discovery of unique solutions that will result from expanded awareness of who you are and what your strengths are. I will meet you "wherever you are" in life and will help you gain a different perspective on life while empowering you to approach life's problems with unexpected solutions. Counseling is the process initiated and driven by you, so you are the only person who can decide when to stop seeing your counselor. I always tell my clients that when the day comes when you do not need me any more, you have become your own counselor!
Finding a counselor who is THE right for you
You have made the first step in helping yourself - you have decided to see a counselor. Making a decision who is the right counselor for you is next. The standard recommendation is to allow 2-3 sessions of your work with the counselor to help you determine if the counselor understands you or "gets you' and if you feel comfortable with him or her. My recommendation is to do self-reflection, even after your first session, and decide if you have gained any insights. Did you learn anything about yourself? If the answer is "yes," this might be a counselor for you.