You've decided to look in to getting some counseling, but it's hard to know what to look for and where to start. Welcome to my practice! I know it takes courage to reach out, and it helps to have a sense of a therapist and their approach before you decide to call.
I'd like to tell you a few things about me and what I do in order to help you decide if I might be a good therapeutic fit for you. Then, if it feels right, please feel free to give me a call.
First, I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Addiction Counselor in the State of Colorado. I currently limit my practice to working with adults, either in a couples or individual context. I tend to attract clients who are struggling in relationship, either with themselves, important others, or both. I draw from a variety of models and methods in my work, and I adapt my approach to serve the person I am with to the best of my ability.
I am relationally oriented, and I bring a relational context to my work in individual counseling. I notice in my own clinical work that struggles that commonly bring a person in to therapy, (such as anxiety, depression, and unresolved trauma) often contain an embedded relational wound. Healing our relationship with our wounding, and with ourselves, can provide the freedom needed to move forward. Relationships and our relationship with relationships is always, at least, a part of my work with the individuals I serve. So yeah, I will ask you to tell me about your mother and then some. It doesn't have to be our main focus, but I do want to know about you and the people who have been part of the shaping of your life.
The therapeutic relationship is an investment of self, time, money - it's a big deal. If you are seeking to heal in your quest for therapy, I invite you to utilize the relationship you form with me or whichever therapist you choose to take emotional risks, try on things that are a little outside your comfort zone, say the thing you want to say, but don't think you can or should. . . Maybe not in the first session. :) But - go there. I hope you will.
"But what about the tools?! Aren't I supposed to get some tools, some strategies, some homework?!" Sure. Tools. Tools are great. I like tools; I will offer you tools if you are a tool person and you come to therapy looking for tools. I will offer you tools if and when a tool seems handy. It depends on what we're working on and what your goals are for treatment. If you are coming in to counseling with the goal to get a strategy or two to try for a specific purpose and not spend more than a few sessions doing it, that can happen.
You are the boss of your therapy. What you want may change over time, or you may not even be sure what you want straight away, but you are the boss. Be sure you communicate to your therapist what you're hoping to gain from your treatment and what you already know about what works for you, if you do, and come in with an agenda in mind. It's your time!