The Work: Answers to Questions I am frequently asked.
What is psychotherapy all about?
Supportive therapy is an opportunity to participate in a heartfelt and dynamic interpersonal relationship that offers unconditional positive regard for you and the challenges you face. The therapeutic process may include exploring the ways in which you think, feel and behave, and is intended to support you in better understanding who you are in the moment, who you were in the past and who you are becoming for your future. Psychotherapy is a tool to help you gain insight, increase self awareness, positively affect your ability to make clear conscious decisions, deepen interpersonal relationships, and increase a sense of well-being and fulfillment by connecting You to what you value, what has meaning for you, and what is important for your life.
What will a session be like?
The therapeutic relationship is like no other. The environment is confidential and respectful, with each session focusing on your needs in the moment, your established goals and bridging the two aspects together through inquiry, exploration and coaching. With each session I offer a safe, nurturing and creative space, respect and high regard, meeting you where you are at, witnessing, listening, non-judgment, and when it is appropriate, humor and a light heart. Along with talk therapy I offer EFT, Sandtray/Sandplay and Soulcollage®. A standard session is 50 minutes in length. I offer longer sessions upon request.
Do I really need to go to therapy?
I believe we could all benefit from a safe, confidential and supportive space where we feel heard and seen as we experience all the various emotional, mental, physical and/or spiritual tribulations and successes during life's journey.
For Some, having a relationship outside of family, friends, or colleagues can help a person reconnect to Self without the possible fear of being critiqued or misunderstood, or potentially destabilizing important relationships. For Others, pyschological challenges may seem too private or shameful to talk to with loved ones, yet may become worse if the burdens are held alone, so supportive therapy becomes a necessity not an option. What is most important is determining what is right for You and finding the best way for you to enhance feelings of self-love, self-determination, meaning and connection.
What's the difference between psychotherapy and coach-oriented counseling?
I believe psychotherapy and coach-oriented counseling are very similar in that the ultimate goal is to support you living the way you want to live, that the goals you have set for yourself are achievable, and feeling Alive and excited about living is happening.
The differences are only in the way the goals are achieved and the two can work well together. In some situations it helps to explore, via psychotherapy, negative beliefs or memories held in the body and the mind, and how the fabulous You is getting hidden behind these internal blocks. Experiencing trauma, depression, or grief are examples of potentially big blocks. Psychotherapy can help foster deep healing to ultimately gain clarity and strength to then achieve goals.
Coach-oriented counseling goes into the depths of a plan, focusing on the present and creating the future through specific goals. Exploring old or current wounds is less called for yet defining belief systems and thought processes occur while maintaining focus on achieving an end result. Coach-oriented counseling allows for the sharing of directives, homework and specific suggestions.