A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include: 

• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
• Developing skills for improving your relationships
• Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
• Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
• Improving communications and listening skills
• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
• Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

People come to therapy for many reasons, perhaps they have experienced a change to the family system and need help adjusting. Others may be looking for personal growth and self exploration. Sometimes a person may be in pain and not know where to turn to find relief. When someone is trying to cope with difficult issues therapy is a place that can provide support, help you find new ways of thinking, examine struggles and discover new ways to problem solve. I feel that it is important for a relationship to build so that my clients feel safe respected and valued as they share their stories. It’s important for me to meet and understand each unique person and to understand their perceptions so that we can find a way to generate new hope and healing. People seeking therapy are willing to work towards change and are willing to create greater awareness in their day to day interactions with those they love and care about. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.

People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life. In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.

Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. Sessions are typically 45-50 minutes in duration, although a longer session can be arranged. Usually people meet with me once a week, again exceptions can occur, and if someone is in crisis they may need to meet twice a week until the situation is calmer. It is helpful for the client to think about what we talk about between the times that we meet and there may be times I ask you to work on specific tasks during the week - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives. It is important to remember that therapy is most beneficial when you are an active participant both in and out of session. 

In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. 

It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.

While I do not take insurance, I am able and willing to provide a super bill to your insurance carrier so you may be reimbursed for my services. Reimbursement rates and timelines vary with each carrier, but since I have previously been on 20+ insurance panels I am happy to help you navigate that process.