FAQs

I’m used to handling things on my own. Aren’t people who go to therapy weak?

Quite the opposite! It takes strength and insight to know when you need professional help to deal with overwhelming situations and feelings.

What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?

As much as your friends and family love you, they simply cannot be as objective as a mental health professional. Because they are part of your life, what affects you affects them. In session with me you have a safe, private space in which to do the work you need to do, to cry, cuss (you won’t shock me, believe me), express doubts, fears, and long held secrets, knowing that I will always listen with compassion and without judgement. I will help you learn new skills, gain different perspectives, and learn to trust your own inner wisdom. Furthermore, you won’t have to worry about others “knowing my business.” (Note: there are legal limits to confidentiality in specific and limited situations. Please see the document Limits of Confidentiality)

Why shouldn’t I just take medication?

Unless you have a serious mood disorder, medication may not be necessary. If it is, however, research has shown that the combination of medication and therapy is by far more helpful than medication alone. Marriage and Family Therapists do diagnose, but we cannot prescribe medication. If it becomes apparent that medication would be helpful to treatment, you will see a psychiatrist, who are the experts on medication.

How does it work? What do I have to do in sessions?

Because each person has different issues and goals for counseling, it will be different depending on the individual. I tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs. But in general, we meet in my comfortable office, talk about how you are feeling, explore what is going on in your life, and what happened in your past that can be contributing to the situation. We might use a family tree, or drawing. I incorporate talk therapy with things like journaling, meditation and mindfulness, dream work, and more. My education and life experience gives me a very diverse “tool box”!

How long will it take?

Every person’s needs and history are unique. For some, a month or two is enough. For others, it might take much longer. Be assured that I adhere to the highest professional, legal, and ethical standards. Therapy lasts only as long as the person needs to meet the stated treatment goals. It is very common for both client and therapist to “feel” when therapy is done. It is not uncommon for my clients to become attached to me and even feel bad about stopping, as if it would hurt my feelings. I always tell people up front, my job to get you strong enough not to need me anymore! That’s success for both of us.

What is Depth Psychology?

Depth psychology began with the work of Sigmund Freud and Carl Gustav Jung. It is founded in the belief that the unconscious mind stores events and feelings, some accessible through therapy, others too deep to reach. My training is founded in Depth psychology, and it encompasses many methods, including looking at family patterns and past relationships without getting mired there, working with dreams, and finding new ways of dealing with life.