Counseling Questions and Answers

Getting The Most Out Of Therapy - Whether you are an individual, a couple or a family these tips will help you get the best results from your therapeutic sessions.

Trust - You need to feel heard and trust that your therapist is there to help you.
Understanding - If you have a question about what you are hearing, ask questions
Note pad - I always suggest bringing a note pad or notebook to each session
Homework - Homework assignments are for YOU, not your therapist

Yes. If that is something you want

Here is an idea of what is available, in terms of who can go to your therapy session and what format may work best for your situation

Individual: This format consists of the following people in the room - you and the therapist only

Family: This format consists of the following people in the room - you and your family members, along with the therapist

Couples: This format consists of the following people in the room - you and your partner, along with the therapist

Groups: This format consists of the following people in the room - you and others that share similar concerns and struggles, along with the therapist

The groups facilitated here are small, safe and intimate - finding this the best way to facilitate sharing, healing and growth. In a large group these achievements can become difficult and take longer.

No.

This is often how people envision therapy sessions. In my opinion, this is Old School and more often associated with the type of psychoanalytical therapy that Sigmond Freud performed, over the course of many many years.

Why did it take him so long to help clients and not you?

Here, the therapeutic approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Freud used a psychoanalytical approach that had individuals start with the beginning of their lives. Instead, CBT may take a "snapshot' of the past but focuses more on the "now and your future", on your "patterns" and how to change them.

Keep in mind, many therapists offices today do have a couch for comfortable seating, you don't have to lay down, most clients sit upright. Of course you are allowed to lay down if it is more comfortable for you

If you are new to therapy - you may want to try and think of what it is you would like to get out of therapy.

A common answer is, "I want to feel better".

Let's go a little beyond that if possible - ( here are some ideas to get you started ) I want to feel less anxious, less angry, less depressed.... I want to have a better relationship with my kids or partner....

If you are returning to therapy, you might want to include what was helpful and worked for you, if anything, in your past therapy.