What does counseling look like?

Here is where we get to know each other a little bit and create a plan for the work we will do. This is a time where we highlight resources you have, what might be missing, and create a plan for helping you get the right support.

During this part of our work, I also begin teaching coping skills. One question you will hear from me often is "Does that feel realistic?" I have a TON of coping skills to share, but if it doesn't feel like something you would do in real life, we throw it out and keep looking.

I have learned from experience that it can take 4-5 sessions for a new person to begin to feel comfortable enough to open up to the deeper questions they have. Of course everyone is different, some are ready to deep dive from the first session, others may take much longer. There is no right or wrong. Just what works for you. You are driving the car.

After you have begun practicing and benefitting from the coping skills and education you received in the beginning, we are ready to test the waters for deeper work.

We all have a way of seeing the world called a worldview. This is where we hold our beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world around us. This worldview is shaped by our experiences in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

This part of therapy is about exploring beliefs and expectations, how they came about, and how they are impacting our relationships with ourself and others. It may not sound like much, but often our beliefs about ourselves and the world were created during some of the most painful times of our life.

I will provide Internal Family Systems guidance, art therapy, and EMDR to navigate this portion of the work. Before we begin and at any time during the work, you are welcome to ask any questions. We don't begin this deeper work until you are ready and will stop at any time you choose.

Depending on your needs, we may pace this portion of the work, alternating deeper work with discussions about what has come up.

Congratulations! To arrive here you have done some incredibly amazing work. Likely your friends and family have noticed a strong peace within you and your relationships are happier. Some may have challenged the changes, but you and I worked through that too.

We will take a few session to review your incredible growth. I believe it is important for you to remind yourself where you started and of all the hard choices you made along the way.

You will identify 2 or 3 big challenges for the next year and share how you plan to approach them. What coping or communication skills were the most helpful? What resources within yourself have you created to handle life's challenges? What other resources might you want?

I am humbled to be a part of your journey and honored to be witness to your growth. You are welcome to reach back out if life throw's a curve ball.