WHAT’S THERAPY ALL ABOUT?…

If you are new to therapy, you may be wondering what the therapy process will be like. In reality, the therapy process is very individual and therefore it can look and feel differently to every single person. However, there are some things you can expect or that will be expected of you.

HONESTY
For therapy to be successful, you must allow yourself to be honest and open even though this may be difficult at times. Therapy is the one place that you can be ‘real’ and where you won’t be judged, so it is important not to censor your thoughts, ideas, and feelings. Censoring yourself due to feeling embarrassed or to avoid negative feelings only sabotages your hope for a new normal.

TALKING
Even though therapy requires you to talk it may definitely feel uncomfortable at first. I encourage and expect clients to be active in the therapy process. I will also be an active participant in your sessions to help you problem solve your needs. As an Art Therapist, I will also give you the opportunity to choose to express yourself in more interesting and creative ways. Art Therapy is not just for kids!!

REGULAR ATTENDANCE
Therapy is a process of uncovering layers, much like an onion. Therapy will require more than just a few sessions to develop self awareness, problem solving skills, and changes in your thinking, feelings and behaviors. Accomplishing your desired outcome requires a commitment to yourself toward change and a commitment to maintaining consistent appointments. It is important to be aware that everyone will have their own pace of discovery and healing, so length of treatment varies.

INSIGHTS & SELF-AWARENESS
Therapy is a process that uncovers and brings up a mixture of emotions, memories and realizations about yourself and the world in which you live. Insights and self-awareness will happen in sessions as well as afterward in your day to day life. This is also another reason why regular attendance in therapy is so important.

DISCOMFORT
Sometimes therapy will be difficult because you are exploring unresolved events from your past, emotions that may have been buried for quite some time or identifying unhealthy thought patterns that are well-established. At times it may hurt as you uncover those deep wounds because you have spent a good part of your life trying to cope in ways that have stopped working. This is all a normal part of the therapy process and it is important that you talk to me about these experiences so I can support you through them. Believe it or not, it is this discomfort which will allow you to heal, develop effective coping skills and modify unhealthy patterns of thinking.

POSITIVE RESULTS OF THERAPY

• Being mentally and emotionally healthy.
• Experiencing a greater sense of self-control over your life.
• Trusting your own instincts and inner voice.
• Use of coping strategies to regulate thoughts, feelings and behaviors.
• A sense of contentment, meaning and purpose in both your activities and your relationships.
• Flexibility to learn new things and adapt to change.
• Finding a healthy balance between work, play, family, rest and activity, etc.
• Ability to build and maintain fulfilling relationships.
• Self-confidence and high self-esteem.
• A zest for living and the ability to laugh and have fun.
• Resiliency, the ability to bounce back successfully from negative situations.