Have a question? Avoid playing "phone tag" and get your questions answered here.
Finding a therapist is no simple task. This is a quick reference to answer those
questions that are most pertinent and need to be answered right away.
I want to make your search for finding the right therapist as easy and simple as
possible.
Great news...we don't have to play phone tag!
How often do we meet?
Some people meet with me on a weekly basis, while others may decide to
meet bi-monthly or every 3 weeks.
Meetings will vary on a case by case basis. I often recommend that
couples and individuals in distress to start therapy with weekly sessions
in the beginning to lay the ground work for achieving your goals.
My goal is that you will become the expert of your life and your
relationships, but without putting a band-aide over the wound for
temporary correction. I want long term change. As we begin to see
progress, we can gradually pull therapy sessions further and further
apart, as is appropriate for your situation.
How many sessions will it take to reach our goals?
I often get people who ask me about how many sessions it will take to achieve the
therapy goal. Even though I work from a shorter term of therapy (10-18 sessions),
each person and situation is unique. The harder you work in and out of the
therapy office, the quicker you will get results. However, if there are traumas
or relationship wounds, the therapy may be stretched out and need more in depth
focus. Others may respond very well to therapy and need less than 10 sessions.
The sessions depend on the issues we are addressing, the client(s), the frequency
of the therapy sessions, and the willingness to work through the issues. As a
therapist, I will do my best to do whatever I can to help get long term results.
What can I expect our first session to be like?
Your first session is important. You and I will assess if we are a good fit for
potential therapeutic work. During consultation, feel free to ask questions related
to therapy and my background, about the frequency of sessions, fee structure,
cancellation policy, payment method, my orientation, my background, treatment method etc.
If you are satisfied, we may schedule subsequent sessions. If I feel I may not be able
to help you, I will inform you and would be happy to provide you with an appropriate
referral to a therapist who can better meet your needs.
If we decide to work together, I will go over the therapeutic framework that needs
to be maintained throughout the duration of therapy. The framework is for your protection
and healing, and I would appreciate your active involvement in the process.
When is it too late (or too early) for marriage counseling?
Ideally, it would be great if every couple went through counseling to maintain
the quality of their relationship. A marriage is like a garden; it requires
regular tending, work, and attention to keep it growing in a healthy way.
If it is not routinely maintained, the marital “weeds” will sneak
up and spoil the garden of your marriage.
It is best to come in even when things seem to be going well, in order to polish
up your communication skills, work through unresolved issues, understand each
other better, etc. However, many people come into counseling just prior to divorce,
when their garden is full of weeds with very little life left. Although coming
in earlier is better, we can still work on the problems if you are willing to do
the hard work. Marriage counseling is not miraculous; I can’t make everything
all better in a few sessions. It took time for your marriage to get the way it
is, and it will take time and effort to re-establish your relationship. If you
are unsure if you want counseling or if it is worth it for your relationship, come
in for an initial session, and I will help you diagnose the problems and determine
a plan of action for you to consider.
What is your role as a counselor in marriage therapy?
As your therapist, I take a direct role in marriage counseling. I am not there
just to listen; I am there to listen and provide direction, reflection, and clarification.
I will be an active participant in your sessions, which involves listening, interrupting,
mediating, clarifying, confronting, and providing direction for the session. .
