Prior to meeting for individual therapy, I would ask clients or their parents to set up a consultation to see if we’d be a good fit. To do so, you can click here. I always look forward to these meetings. Although I have set questions I ask, they are akin to a “meet and greet.” If we are not a good fit, we can discuss referrals.
I have both provided and received a great deal of individual counseling. I’m a total nerd for it. Sharing the stories of our lives is transformative and has been available to people for centuries. It has ancient roots for sure.
Individual therapy offers a contrast to the common medical model found through out the United States; one that focuses on disease and symptoms rather than individuals and their lives. Counseling and therapy can offer relief, remission of symptoms, and encouragement for people struggling with a wide variety of problems.
More specifically, individual therapy can be a vehicle to address mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, OCD, or significant adjustments in life like marriage, divorce, or career and educational changes.
In stark contrast to many institutions, K-12 education being one, individual therapy does not work off of deficits, but it builds on strengths. To reach the point of receiving individual therapy, or even the point of searching for a counselor and tending to your own healing, more has gone right in your life than wrong.
Prior to our first meeting, I ask clients fill out the professional disclosure form found here. As we begin our counseling journey it is my hope that you would quickly develop and honest and genuine impression of me. My goal is that you’d find me relatable, approachable, and most importantly, helpful. As we meet in the initial phase, I will have questions to highlight our shared therapeutic goals and to get a sense of your strengths.
After we’ve established a shared direction for therapy, my work will be centered around consistently creating safe confidential space for you to explore your current thoughts, feelings, and memories. New awareness of your circumstances and your place among them will begin to emerge.
As you cultivate insight about your life, I will often begin to put on an “architect’s” hat. By this, I mean to say that I’m looking to develop a plan that will help you build a new foundation that you can build upon. Direct skill building may be a part of what we do together at this stage. If we go this direction, this work will be collaborative and directed by your needs and life goals.
Speaking from experience, receiving good counseling individually can feel like a much needed relief and the start of a better life.
If you are interested in hearing more about my approach with couples and families or teens, click here or here respectively.
If you are interested in seeing if I would be a good fit for you, I encourage you to set up a free 15 minute consultation. Follow this link to do so.