Counseling Fundamentals

It’s completely normal to cry in therapy. Therapy is known to be cathartic. It’s a safe place to talk about anything - judgment free. So things like childhood trauma, life struggles and disappointments are all examples and reasons someone may become emotional. We don’t go around talking about things... more

Having multiple things/issues to address in therapy is very common. I would suggest taking on one issue at a time to get the most out of it versus rushing to address everything all at once. It's okay to give yourself some grace and take it one step at a time.

The short answer is no. You are human and some of us (myself included) have been through many twists and turns throughout our lifetime. The good news is often as we improve in one part of our life it has a trickle-out effect to the rest of your life. So you can feel more at peace and less hurried to... more

I recognize that reaching out for help can be a very big step. It certainly sounds like you have really been through a lot in your life. Working with a counselor can help to sort through some of these past traumas and pain. Of course, we can not change the past, but we can change the meaning that... more

Therapy is a journey and like most journeys, there is always an ending. When a client has met their intended goals or has built confidence in skills they have learned in therapy, that's when they begin to transition. Furthermore, if a therapist and client aren't a good match or the therapist... more

It is usually time to end counseling sessions when it is clear to both the client and the counselor that therapeutic goals have been reached and enough improvement has been made that the client can continue without that support. There are exceptions to this rule, but for the most part this is when... more

Like with any relationship, you can always tell if you are going to align with someone through the first interaction. You get a feel for each other and a sense of comfortability. You sought this person out because of their qualifications and experience. That was the first step. The second step is to... more

It is a good idea to request a consultation (these are generally free of charge and virtual) with the therapists that seem to be a good fit. I usually recommend meeting with at least 3 therapists, provide each of them a scenario that you'd like to address, and ask how they would respond to the... more

This is tough. It is good to get referrals from a friend, doctor, school counselor etc. but what works for one may not work for another. Make sure they are licensed in your state and are in a safe area. You should ask if they have a free introductory call or session for you to interview them... more