Frequently Asked Questions
Don't find your questions?
If the answers to the frequently asked questions below are not satisfactory to your unique situation feel free to contact me via Facebook, Twitter or contact me directly.
What should I expect from my initial session?
During the initial session, you will have a chance to tell me about the problems that brought you in for treatment. You can also take the opportunity to tell me what you hope to achieve through the counseling process. I will ask you some specific questions about your presenting problems and your previous experiences in counseling or therapy. Toward the end of the first session, I will explain my evaluation process for all new clients and we can decide together how to proceed.
Learn more about the first session.
My treatment area isn't listed. Can you still help me?
The treatment areas listed are general broad topics. You may find that your situation falls into one or more of the areas, or does not seem to fit any of them. Rest assured that your treatment will be unique to you.
What Is A Counselor Or Therapist?
The terms “counselor” and “therapist” are often used interchangeably. These terms describe a professional who works with individuals, couples, and families on relationship issues, personal problems, and mental health issues. These experts typically have a master’s degree or higher and have undergone extensive training to become licensed to practice in their state.
While counselors are adept at assisting clients with issues such as depression and anxiety, mental health concerns are not necessary for seeking help. Often times, counselors see clients who are dealing with relationship issues, marital problems, personal growth issues, and many other matters would not fall within the parameters of a diagnosable mental health concern.
Due to the professional counselor’s deep understanding of the human condition, they can be of assistance to anyone looking to make changes in their life, cope with troubling problems, heal old wounds, or discover meaning and reason behind what is happening in their life.
Why Do People Work With Counselors?
When someone works one-on-one with a counselor, the counselor will help one to uncover the source of stress, pain, resentment, frustration, etc. in their life. Often, they help clients determine goals and set into motion a plan to create and sustain positive change. As the relationship between the counselor and the client deepens, core issues will come into focus. It is not uncommon for a client to enter counseling with one goal in mind only to find that something different becomes the focal point of their work. Many times, counseling is a week-by-week, dynamic experience which means the content of the sessions may continually adjust and adapt to whatever life situations arise. Solutions and treatment plans are adjusted to coincide with the changes in the client’s life
Counselors try to help clients cope with and resolve their problems so they will ultimately no longer need counseling. In order to reach this goal, both client and counselor must work together to uncover the root of the issues and generate realistic solutions that can be put into practice in the client’s life.
Counselors also work with couples and families to help them understand and solve relationship issues or family-related problems.
What Issues Can A Counselor Help Me With?
Counselors typically assist clients with a number of issues, including relationship stress, marital conflict, dating difficulties, infidelity, trust issues, commitment issues, dissatisfaction in the bedroom, financial stress, dealing with break-ups, separation and divorce, and many others. Counselors also help with non-specific concerns like self-esteem, managing periods of depression, periodic and ongoing anxiety as well as a host of other diagnosable issues. Counselors can specialize in areas like marriage and family counseling, drug and alcohol addiction, eating disorders, and career counseling.
What Can I Expect When I Work With A Counselor?
A counselor functions as a non-judgmental voice to help clients deal with and resolve emotional concerns. They provide a safe place where clients can talk about any and all problems on their mind. Counselors are trained to listen in an objective manner and offer helpful feedback, insight, and clarification.
In session, counselors will sometimes operate as a guide. Clients should expect a counselor to ask questions and encourage them to talk so can delve more deeply into their issue. Counselors usually do not talk as much as the client because only the client knows where the pain and resistance lie, and the client is ultimately the one who will do the work to resolve the issue.
If you are seeking help, keep in mind that counselors will not solve your problems for you. Their role is to help facilitate awareness. Insights that you make with the help of a counselor help you make changes and find resolutions for the concerns in your life. Working with a counselor can help just about anyone develop a better understanding of what they want from life. This work can also help increase harmony in all relationships, including your relationship with yourself.