THERAPY INTRO

HOW THERAPY WORKS

Engaging in therapy offers you an opportunity to learn about yourself, where you are stuck, and what has been getting in your way.

We bring attention to the patterns between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in response to the people and life events around you to develop your capacity for self-reflection. It is from this increased ability to self-reflect, to know your own strengths and struggles, that you can begin to understand your decisions and take steps toward meaningful change.

Good therapy happens when these conditions converge:

• Your best effort at speaking openly and honestly about your experiences, thoughts, feelings

• A willingness to recognize and tolerate uncomfortable feelings as difficult material comes to the surface

• Readiness to learn about yourself and how you relate to other people

• Feeling safe and understood in the therapeutic relationship, i.e. a good fit between therapist and client(s)

• Ability to consistently attune and reflect on client(s)' experience - on the part of the therapist

Over time, it is this process of tuning in, healing hurts and distressing experiences, building skills and developing a coherent narrative of your life experiences that leads to transformative change.

THERAPY HELPS

When you are…

• Overthinking or ruminating

• Feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or stuck

• Experiencing worries, anxiety, or fear

• Feeling unmotivated, sad, or depressed

• Thinking poorly of yourself, feeling not good enough

• Having sleep or concentration difficulties

• Feeling irritated, impatient, or angry

• Experiencing problems and conflicts in relationships

• Arguing or fighting with your partner

• Adjusting to a life transition

• Not knowing how to set limits, boundaries or say "no" to others

• Using food, substances or behaviors to cope with various situations

• Surviving losses or traumatic experiences

• Trying to avoid certain thoughts or situations

You will also notice that - therapy is a process.  It takes consistent participation, mutual collaboration, and an openness to learn and grow for therapy to become an instrument for change.  For each person, the pace of change happens differently - some people take a shorter time while others take longer.  Over time, the work you are doing, especially the mistakes and steps backward, builds resilience. The changes that do take place in yourself will be reflected in every aspect of your life, including a positive sense of self, increased capacity to handle life’s challenges, improved relationships, self-esteem and grounded confidence in work, school, and family.