Individual adult sessions are 55-minute long and start out on a weekly basis. Sessions are focused on helping you with long-range goals while supporting you as new issues arise. Some of the issues I like to work with include depression, anxiety, relational problems, asserting boundaries, childhood and developmental trauma, grief and loss, parenting issues, men’s issues, cultural and sexual oppression, and creative blocks. The list of issues I can work with is more extensive than listed above. The best way to see if I can assist you in your healing journey is to contact me for a free 30-minute consult. If I feel I am unable to help you, I will provide referrals to make sure you get access to the right kind of care.
After a consult and mutual agreement to work together, we would meet for an initial intake. This usually takes 1 or 2 sessions where I will ask you about biological, psychological, and social factors that may be influencing the issues you are experiencing. We will also explore and establish your goals for counseling, which we will continue to revisit to evaluate your progression.
I will also introduce you to some tools we will use in therapy. One of primary tools I find useful is mindfulness, which helps one develop more awareness of their present experiences. If mindfulness is new to you, it is fairly easy to learn and you don’t have to be a guru to use. In fact, you don’t even need to have any experience! Also, while developing a mindfulness practice on your own can be beneficial, just using mindfulness in sessions can greatly enhance insight and having corrective experiences!
The amount of time an individual will work with me varies. I have witnessed clients make lasting changes within a few months and I also have supported clients through very difficult and long-term problems. At a minimum, I would plan on making a commitment to at least 10 sessions to give yourself time to evaluate your progress.
Counseling is not without risk. Some people experience an increase in feelings of stress, especially during the early stages of counseling. Some problems may seem to get worse before they get better. Exploring longstanding, deeply seated issues can sometimes initially seem to aggravate rather than help the issue. Some people find themselves feeling emotions and having insights that are new and uncomfortable, sometimes leading to feelings of discouragement and thoughts of quitting counseling. Some people are surprised by how others in their lives respond as counseling progresses. These dynamics are natural and to be expected. You may also experience other unique consequences of counseling. I encourage you to talk with me about them as and if they occur.
I am often asked about the benefits in working with a male therapist. I find some individuals like to work with a male therapist because they either find safety or want to heal issues they have had with men in the past. Exploring dynamics with male energy is also another common theme I hear when people contact me. I work with all sexual orientations and gender identities. With the goal of helping you feel safe to explore very personal issues, I will collaborate with you in understanding you needs around safety, feeling respected, and having a voice in the therapeutic process.
If you would like to learn more about my other services, checkout my relationship counseling page. If you would like to connect with me or set up a free 30-minute consult, please visit my contact page.
