What can I expect from therapy?
The benefits of participating in therapy can include a reduction or elimination of painful or distressing symptoms, improvement in couple, family, and social relationships, greater sexual satisfaction, enhanced ability to identify and achieve personal and professional goals, as well as decreased negative thoughts and self-defeating behaviors.
What types of feelings might I experience in therapy?
People can experience a wide range of feelings in therapy. Because the process often involves discussing unpleasant aspects of your life, feelings, such emotions as sadness, anger, frustration, loneliness, and helplessness, can emerge. Although these feelings may be new or uncomfortable, the safety of therapy allows people greater freedom to explore them. What many often discover is that when they have more access to their emotions, it opens up their world in ways they never imagined. Often, they see improvements in their lives.
How does the process of therapy work?
You can give me a call to discuss treatment or to schedule an appointment. Once you come into my office, I will ask you to tell me about yourself, what is causing you difficulty, and how you would like me to help you. I will listen to you closely and respectfully; and together we will arrive at an understanding of your struggles, how they came to be, what is getting in the way of you resolving them, and how best to treat them. The process is collaborative, so I will be looking for input, questions, and concerns. My style is interactive, so I will offer you my impressions and recommendations. The length of therapy will vary for each person and will, in many ways, be dependent on your goals.
How can I best participate in the therapeutic process?
Benefiting from therapy requires your active involvement, honesty and openness to change. I set the tone for you by my own openness, ease, and non-judgmental attitude.
How can I reach you between sessions, if I need to speak with you?
You can call my office at 804-272-7287. If I am unavailable when you call, leave a message on my confidential voice-mail. I listen to these messages throughout the day and will return your call as soon as possible. I make every effort to return calls on the same day.