FAQs - Commonly Asked Questions

I’ve been taught to be strong and take care of myself, does getting therapy mean I lack mental strength?

Not at all. People who ask for support know when they need it and have the courage to reach out. Everyone needs additional support now and then. You already have strengths that you’ve used before, that for whatever reason isn’t working right now. Perhaps this problem feels overwhelming and is making it difficult to access your past strengths and inner healing power. In our work together, we’ll collaboratively identify what those strengths are and how to implement them again in what is happening now.

I have my tribe that I connect with, what is the difference with talking with them and a therapist?

The biggest difference is that you do not have an emotional connection with your therapist that is connected to expectations.  You have the freedom to fully and completely open up to your therapist, without fear of judgment; or the information you share being shared with others due to confidentiality. A therapist can support you in approaching your situation in a new way– teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, and guide you in learning to listen to yourself.

I take medication, isn’t that enough?

Medication treats the symptoms, not the cause.  Not addressing the cause can lead to prolonged symptoms.  For example: Say you sprang your ankle and are on pain medications.  You take the medication and do not feel the pain, so you move about as if your ankle is healed.  Since your ankle is not truly healed you have prolonged the healing process.  Feeling the pain would alert you to the fact that your ankle is not healed, so you treat is accordingly.  Medication supports you in mitigating symptoms so that you can do the work to truly heal.  Meditation in conjunction with therapy is the best approach in most cases.

I’m new to therapy, what do I have to do?

Show up as your authentic self.  Bring all your questions, your concerns, your anxieties to the session to be processed.  Trust yourself that you are making necessary steps to improve how you are experiencing your life’s journey.  That trust will allow you to be open and honest about how your experiences are impacting you.

How long will it take?

Your circumstances are unique to you as will your experience with therapy.  One thing, I know for sure is that you cannot rush the process by skipping steps and receive the most benefit from therapy.  Allowing yourself the space and time to fully acknowledge and be accountable to your experiences supports this process best.  Basically, you get out of it what you fully commit to putting into it.   The therapist is a guide to support you along the way, providing you with resources, strategies, and skills tailored to your journey.