Beginning the counseling process can be daunting for some people. You may feel it is difficult to share your innermost feelings and thoughts with a person you do not know. Please be assured that the counseling process moves at your pace. You release the information you want to reveal when you are ready.
How will counseling help?
There are many benefits to the counseling process. Sometimes, talking things out causes possible solutions to bubble up to the surface. Sharing can also be beneficial merely by hearing your thoughts spoken aloud. Counseling can be informative. Perhaps you are feeling lonely or isolated because you feel you are the only person who has experienced certain problems. The truth is, you are a unique person, and your own experiences are unique, but you are not alone. Many people feel depression, anxiety, grief, difficulty with life change, heartbreaks, ruminating, random thoughts, eating issues, shyness, family problems, and too many other things to list. We are humans living in an imperfect world. We all need comfort from time to time. Talking is one method that works in the counseling process, but there are other methods as well: worksheets, journaling, education, physical exercise, reframing thoughts, mindfulness exercises, just to name a few.
What will happen in counseling sessions?
The first session is a time when we will get to know each other and do an assessment. The assessment consists of getting some information: basic and background information, as well as other information about you that you are ready to share. Many people feel much better after the first session because they took the first step. Any interventions that are provided will be based on your specific needs, needs which will be determined during your initial assessment and added or amended as you continue to learn and grow.
What are interventions and what are they supposed to do?
Therapists are trained in many types of interventions. I choose interventions that best fit the client on a case-by-case basis. It may be one type of intervention, or a combination of several. A few types of intervention are:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): It is believed that thoughts (cognition) lead to behavior. To put it simply, if you believe something about yourself or someone else, you may act out on that belief before questioning whether that belief is based on fact. For instance, are you reading someone else’s mind? How do you really know what they are thinking? In cognitive therapy, the therapist and client work together to change some thought patterns, and as a result, some behaviors will also change.
- Psychoanalysis: Sometimes, when looking at our past, we discover why we do things or why we feel certain ways about things in the present, which then affects our future. Past events can contribute to our self esteem, our spending habits, our relationships, our decisions, and many other parts of our lives. Knowledge is power. The more you discover about yourself, the more you can learn to live the life that works best for you.
- Solution Focused Therapy: Sometimes people come to therapy because they want to stop doing something, they want to make a big decision or they are having trouble adjusting to a recent change. Solution Focused Therapy can focus on the issue at hand.
- Narrative Therapy: What is your story? How can you change how you feel about your story? What have your learned from your life? How can what you know and understand about your story help you to live a richer and healthier life?
- Mental Health/Life Coaching: Is something stopping you from achieving goals that you want to attain? It may seem overwhelming to change careers, go back to school, start a business, get a grip on your finances, or achieve your dreams. A little bit of coaching, goal-setting and direction can be helpful in this situation.
How long does therapy last?
There is no right answer to this question. It all depends on the individual. In many cases, therapy involves changing one’s thought processes. Sometimes this can take a few sessions, sometimes it can take much longer. Therapy ends when you and your therapist feel that you have reached the goals that you came to therapy for.
So, how do I get started?
If you are interested in starting therapy, you can complete the Client Data Sheet below (link is under the form). You can then email the completed form to dallasmcounseling@gmail.com. Once received, I will contact you and introduce myself. This call will take just a few minutes. If you agree to therapy, I will email you a few more forms to sign and we will set up an intake session. It’s that simple!
Do I have to pay for my first session?
Yes, payments for sessions are due before each session, including the intake session. The intake session will take the same amount of time as a therapy session, and in some cases help and healing can begin in a first session, even if it is an intake session.
Do you accept insurance?
I do not accept insurance at this time, but I do charge a reasonable fee for each session to make it available to more people.
Where will our appointments take place?
Currently, I am seeing people through teletherapy only. In some cases I may be able to come to your home or another location that ensures your privacy and confidentiality. Once we set a time for a session, I will send you a link.