What is Counseling?
Counseling is a partnership; built on trust and honest communication in a gentle and caring environment. We start at your very first session with understanding how your heart is and what you’d like to be different. Over time, we’ll address obstacles and make positive changes to counteract them. We look forward to walking with you through this process. We won’t just look at surface behaviors, but also the beliefs that have created them. Counseling is similar to gardening in this respect.
If you want a beautiful garden, you don’t want to just cut back the weeds, or they will soon grow back or pop up somewhere else. You want to pull out the roots so that the weeds won’t return. Our behaviors and thoughts have roots of their own and will recur if we don’t address them. My goal is for you to feel relief from the heaviness of anger, pain, shame, or grief and to begin living in renewed hope!
What to Expect at Your First Session
Not sure what to expect at your first counseling session? You’re in good company. Many people come into their first session apprehensive and unsure. Because the counseling relationship is one built on safety, building trust is imperative. We begin building that trust from your first session.
We will begin your first session by asking questions about your current situation, personal history, why you’re seeking counseling, and what you hope to gain from your sessions. And, it’s ok if you don’t know the answers. That’s part of the process. Our relationship is a partnership. We’ll walk into and through it together.
Therapy is a process, and there are no quick fixes. However, change is possible. We see it every day! Our desire is that over time and with support, you will find new hope and healing on life’s journey.