What is Individual Counseling Like?

This type of counseling is built on a one on one approach between therapist and client. Together, we’re able to take a look and explore the reasons that originally brought you to therapy and discover together the potential growth and possibilities for healing in store.

We’ll work together to create a treatment plan, which is really just a set of strategies that I believe will be helpful to you that we can use as a guideline to help navigate your goals for our time together.

Is it right for me?

Counseling is great opportunity for those who are struggling, as well as those who are ready or willing to work on themselves. Everyone can benefit from counseling, but your experience in therapy is still highly dependent upon what you bring to the table.

If you are experiencing any of the issues listed below, then you may want to think about speaking to a professional.

How can therapy help?

Individual counseling helps by having an unbiased and non-judgmental individual help you walk through the difficulties of life. Your therapist is available to support you and help open your mind to different perspectives and help you learn effective and healthy ways of coping with situations. 

If ever you feel like the approach to counseling you are receiving is not helpful, talk to your therapist about it!

It is important to be honest and open with them so they’re able to help you in the best way possible, and can work through the issues that are most important to you!

How is counseling different than talking to my friends?

Talking to friends can be a great relief and is a great support system to have in times of difficulty and that is very important.

However, counselors are different in that they are professionals who have been trained with the specialization of helping others in an array of various difficult situations. They are also able to give you a professional outside perspective that is unbiased and non-judgmental; which is something that friends are unable to provide.

Therapists cannot replace friends when it comes to pursuing wellness and balance in your life, however the inverse is also true. Friends cannot replace the authenticity and support that is found in a therapeutic relationship.

Is it confidential?

Your privacy is taken very seriously. We maintain guidelines set by HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), as well as maintain ethical guidelines set by the American Psychological Association (APA). These guidelines ensure that what you say in counseling is kept confidential; however, there are some limitations.

These limitations deal with the possibility of child or elderly abuse, or the possibility of harm to yourself or others. It is important to understand that counselors are mandated reporters, and are required to report certain information, as listed above, to the proper authorities.

If you have any questions about confidentiality, please do not hesitate to ask, and your therapist can clarify your questions directly.

How long will I have to be in therapy?

The length of therapy that is needed is determined between you and your therapist and will be made clear as you progress in your work together. The decision to end therapy will be based upon the therapeutic goals that were set and the treatment plan you’re working to accomplish.

You can expect to have regular conversations about your progress and what therapeutic goals that are being met and those that need greater attention. These conversations will help in determining the length of treatment and keep you and informed about your progress.  

Are counselors able to prescribe medication?

Our therapists are unable to prescribe medication to you, a psychiatrist or physician is needed for that service. However, we are more than willing to work closely with your primary care physician and/or psychiatrist to make sure that you are getting the best treatment possible.

Best practice in pharmacological treatment (i.e. medication management) calls for psychotherapy to be delivered along with the meds. It will be important for us to assess your satisfaction with the prescriptions you’re taking and monitor their effectiveness.

What happens during an intake session?

An intake session is the first session with a counselor. The intake session focuses on gathering information about what is bringing you into counseling and any mental health history you may have.

This includes any prior treatment, current and past medications, family history, and a synopsis of what is bringing you into counseling. It tends to run longer than a normal session due to the amount of information that needs to be gathered to help determine the best treatment plan for you.

Ultimately, this first session helps lay out the foundation for what counseling would look like specifically for you and what therapy/treatment would be needed to help you reach your therapeutic goals. 

What if I don’t feel comfortable talking about my problems?

There could be a couple of factors in play when you’re feeling discomfort in an initial, or even after a few sessions.

It could boil down to not feeling comfortable with your therapist. Know that this is okay!

We like to think of the first session as an opportunity for you to gauge your comfort level, just as much as it’s your therapist’s opportunity to gather information. In great therapeutic relationships, there is a ‘fit’ where you feel genuinely seen and cared for. While it is our goal to help you feel that way, we understand that it’s not right for everyone.

If you’re feeling uncomfortable due to other reasons, remember that this is the work of therapy: to challenge yourself to be vulnerable and express what’s been unsaid for far too long.

How often do I need to see my therapist?

The frequency of appointments needed is mutually set between you and your therapist during your first session and updated as needed. This is determined by the presenting problem (aka the reason you came to counseling) and the treatment plan we’ve put in place. Regular attendance at your counseling appointments is needed to ensure that you are progressing toward the therapeutic goals you’ve set. 

If for any reason you are unable to make it to an appointment, please reach out to your therapist immediately.

We ask that you give us at least 24 hours’ notice before canceling or rescheduling an appointment.