New to Therapy FAQs

What can therapy do for me?

A trained therapist offers new perspectives, support, and provides insight to support you moving toward your personal goals. Other benefits may include increased mindfulness and self-awareness, improved management of specific problem areas such as depression or anxiety, improved problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies. Often it is healing simply to be truly heard and understood by someone who is fully present and able to be with you.

Are there limits to confidentiality? Can I really say anything?

Confidentiality is a cornerstone to the therapeutic process. Knowing that what you say in session is confidential and will not be shared without your consent, ensures that you can be completely honest and fully engaged in our work together. Therapists take confidentiality very seriously. Our default position is to maintain and protect your work. Confidentiality is essential as it allows you to explore and grow without fear of reprisals or punishment.

That said, there are specific times that we are legally bound to break confidentiality. These include:

• A therapist is legally mandated to report if they suspect child, elder, or dependent adult abuse.

• A therapist is legally mandated to report if a client poses an imminent danger to others.

• A therapist is required to respond to a court order issued by a judge.

• A therapist must comply to a national security investigation.

Is therapy really necessary? I can usually handle my own problems.

Even the most experienced and strongest person can reach their limit. We find that even those who typically handle high levels of stress can sometimes find themselves overwhelmed, angry, afraid, discombobulated, unsure, sad, frustrated, confused, and just STUCK. Seeking help in these situations reflects a high level of self-awareness, emotional maturity, and personal responsibility. No one should HAVE to do this on their own.

We are constantly humbled and inspired at the courage and fortitude of those who can sit with their struggles and choose to involve us with their healing. It’s truly a remarkably strong person who faces their stuckness and seeks guidance.

How long does it take?

This is a difficult question to answer as so much is unknown at the beginning - what you are seeking support around, how long this issue has been a factor in your life, what work you have already done, and the world you are coming from. But generally, clients work with us between 4 months and a year. Our primary goal is to provide you support so that you can live a full and rich life. What that looks like is your definition. We really do work our way out of a job though it’s not uncommon for a client to complete a piece of their healing work and decide to return to work on other areas of growth.

How will I know therapy is "working?"

You’re discovering new things about yourself that help you navigate life with less fear and more curiosity.
You are holding healthy boundaries.
Your relationships are becoming less chaotic and damaging.
You start envisioning a future for yourself.
You’re able to offer yourself compassion.
You are able to respond rather than react.
You’re building capacity to hold your emotions. You don’t get swept away by them OR you are able to allow yourself to feel them.
You’re not bypassing your humanness.
You’re less caught up in crisis and coping and are beginning to ask yourself what you want.
You’re more comfortable with your wonderfully unique, quirky, and complex self.
You not only share your pain and trials with your therapist but also celebrate wins together.

Isn't there a pill for that?

Maybe. We don’t prescribe and we have nothing against medication supporting you in difficult times. And, for some disorders, medication is essential to lessen the impact of a chemical imbalance.

Please know - research shows that long-term and effective treatment of mental and emotional problems does not rely solely medication. Medication alone tends to give temporary relief or mask the symptoms. Meaning, the underlying root causes of distress is still distressing. For long term relief and management, therapy is often paired with medication (long term or short term) and generally leads to more powerful and long lasting healing.

Are there downsides to therapy?

Possibly. Therapy is a powerful, dynamic process. When you give time and focus on healing, sometimes the symptoms temporarily worsen, at least at the beginning. You may recall unpleasant memories or experience difficult feelings. You’re ability to be with your experience changes as you gain confidence and skills.

Relationships also can go through a change. As you effect change in yourself, those around you may have difficulty adjusting to your new way of being. Even when we are moving towards healthier interactions there is resistance to change. It’s natural and expected.

Therapy requires that we change because where we are is too painful to stay.

Will there be tears? I don't do tears.

Maybe… but chances are that there will also be relief and quite maybe down the road a bit of joy will emerge.

We welcome all parts of you. It is not our goal to make you cry or feel a specific emotion. How you experience or express your emotions is unique to you and your world. We’ll support your process as you learn to access and use this energy. So often people come to therapy to control or extinguish a part of themselves. We believe that emotions are information packets and helpful to navigate life. They are also what gives life richness - they are the reason a sunset is “beautiful”.

What can I expect from my first appointment?

First appointments differ based on a number of factors: your therapist, your personality, the modality, and more. In our first appointment we’ll gather some background information, get comfortable with each other, and to start building a therapeutic relationship. We’ll cover confidentiality, ask about what brings you to therapy, what struggles you’re encountering, and quite probably some life history – such as any traumatic experiences or family dynamics that might help us understand you more. We work collaboratively to determine what you want to get out of our time together, and create a plan that moves you towards your goals and promotes healing.

Why would you be interested in my childhood?

Relational therapists look at the way our early interactions and connections taught us to navigate relationships between ourselves and the world. It’s not “I’m like this because of my parent” it’s “I’m like this because of how I learned to navigate what my parent could or could not offer”. We formed strategies and beliefs that we’re still acting out even when it’s harming or blocking us from the relationships we really want. So when a therapist asks about your early relationships, they are trying to pull forward context for the strategies that are guiding you now. Those strategies made sense then, but do they still serve you? Maybe, maybe not.

How often will we meet?

At the start of therapy, you’ll want to build a strong foundation where healing and change can begin to take hold. Most clients benefit by starting with weekly sessions for at least the first 2 to 3 months. Depending on your circumstances and goals, you and your counselor can determine the best course from there - to continue with weekly sessions for while, move to biweekly, or come in for monthly check-ins. We know that our best work means that the majority of our clients will leave our care - and we’re happy to see this happen as it means you have the tools and movement you came in for.

What do the letters behind your names mean?

Excellent question. Therapists are notorious for the use of acronyms. Here’s a breakdown of the different licenses. We all have a masters degree, have passed the national counselors exam, and are under the rules of our licensing board. Other letters, such as SEP, NARM, indicate specialty certifications.

• LPC-S Licensed Professional Counselor & Board Approved Supervisor
  Seasoned clinicians who in addition to providing counseling now supervise new associate counselors. They have a minimum of 5 years fully licensed and and have often have pursued in-depth training or additional certifications according to their area of practice.

• LPC Licensed Professional Counselor
  Having met all their hours, they are fully independent a counselor vetted by the State of Texas. Highly skilled and often have an area of focus and training.

• LPC Associate
  Provisional therapists just starting out in their career as a therapist with the support and supervision of a clinician with over 5 years experience. They are working to obtain 3000 hours of clinical work as required by the state to obtain full license, which takes anywhere from 18 months to 5 years. Associates offer clients skill, a wealth of knowledge, and their supervisor's clinical expertise.