Individual Therapy

Individual therapy consists of one-on-one sessions during which clients and I work together to address their goals. I provide my clients with a supportive place where they can come to talk freely and attain new coping skills and tools that will help them manage life, especially when the going gets tough.

Common problems that get discussed during individual therapy include:

• Anxiety
• Trauma
• Depression
• Sexual abuse
• Feeling stuck
• Relationship issues or conflicts
• Parenting issues

The most common symptom that people see me for is anxiety; however, an ongoing conversation usually reveals an underlying cause. Some kind of trauma is often the source when something presents as anxiety or depression.

If I suspect trauma, I will start with an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) questionnaire, which gives me a good indication of where we should start. While we explore the ACE results at some point, I first focus on addressing what the client says is their main issue, as they are the expert on what they are feeling.

My primary focus is to go at the individual’s pace. When people are hesitant to explore topics that make them uncomfortable, I understand that we need to work more on building trust and rapport. Once we have a relationship that includes confidence and comfort, we can work on truly fixing the problems at hand and improving the quality of one’s life.

How long does therapy take?

Therapy doesn’t have to be a long-term commitment. It is really about what is useful for the individual. Typically, we schedule for 12 weeks, at which point we regroup, go over treatment goals, and decide how to move forward.

Initially, it is most beneficial to schedule weekly sessions until we build up a relationship. From there, I let my clients choose how often they come in. Though I do make recommendations, I want them to feel empowered to make decisions on their own. And of course, flexibility is essential when it comes to working within financial needs and insurance parameters.