Research tells us that counseling works when there is a therapeutic relationship between you and your counselor.
So what makes this relationship therapeutic?
Trust. This work is not always easy and in order for you to feel safe enough to be vulnerable with your counselor you need to trust them. This may mean that you need to feel heard, understood, respected, and valued as a person. It may also mean that you need to know that your counselor has your best interests in mind.
Equality. While your counselor may have expertise in therapy, you are the expert on yourself. Creating an equal relationship where you both have input into the process makes sure that this work is best suited to your needs.
Respect. In a therapeutic relationship it is important that you feel respected and that you respect your counselor. This does not mean that you won't disagree - in fact, talking about disagreements and learning how to find compromises is a key component to all relationships.
Communication. Everyone appreciates feeling heard and understood by others. Having a relationship where you feel comfortable talking about anything on your mind can be very rewarding, and is essential to a therapeutic relationship. However, being able to talk about anything on your mind does not take away your right to decide not to talk about something or to withhold information that you don't yet feel comfortable sharing.
My focus in individual counseling is to help you find clarity and create happiness in your life while building a therapeutic relationship. Change comes from self-awareness and self-acceptance, so as our relationships begins to feel safe we will focus on identifying what you want, and then figure out how to create the changes necessary to get what you want.
Session information and fees:
Individual sessions last for 50 minutes. Typically, I see individuals once per week, but we can meet more or less often depending on your preferences. I am committed to making counseling affordable, so I offer a sliding scale for those unable to afford my regular fee.
I offer a free 30-minute consultation to give you a chance to see my office and ask me any questions you may have. We can discuss what you would like to work on and determine whether you would like to work with me. Please call (503) 330-5312 or email me if you are interested in scheduling a consultation.