WHAT IS COUNSELING?Counseling is a safe, confidential, and collaborative process in which people can define personal and professional goals, make decisions, and/or discover solutions to personal, professional, social, educational, or career concerns. WHAT ARE SOME REASONS WHY PEOPLE COME TO COUNSELING?People seek help from a therapist for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to: |
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| Relationship Difficulties Grief and Loss Issues Family Concerns/Problems Family Dysfunction Eating Concerns Depression |
Anxiety Sexual Assault/Abuse Mood Concerns Self-Esteem/Self-Concept Feeling Empty Stress Management |
Anger Management Personal Growth Sexual Identity Issues Substance Abuse Life And Career Planning Coping Skills |
WHAT IS THE COUNSELING RELATIONSHIP?The counseling relationship is one in which a professionally trained therapist can help clarify situations in a way that allows for open discussion of problems while feeling safe, understood, cared for, and empowered. WHAT IS CONFIDENTIALITY?Everything discussed during the counseling session is confidential and cannot be disclosed to anyone without written consent. However, ethical and legal codes require that confidentiality must be broken in cases where imminent danger to self or others is or has been present (including child abuse). WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM COUNSELING?During the initial session, you may be asked to fill out a client profile which will provide background information and your reasons for seeking counseling. I will review this information and will discuss these issues with you in more depth. Some clients are very clear as to why they seek counseling; others are not. You may be asked to identify goals for a treatment plan. You and I will usually use the initial session to determine the best way to meet these goals. Most sessions last about 45-50 minutes. WILL I BENEFIT FROM THERAPY?There is no clear answer to this question. However, if you have used all of vour personal resources and are still having a hard time dealing with issues in your life, counseling with a trained therapist can help to pave the way to a healthier way of coping. The tools that you acquire through therapy will always be with you and can be applied to future situations. WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBITIES IN THE COUNSELING PROCESS?To make the most of this experience, it is best to attend scheduled sessions, be open and honest in the sessions, challenge yourself, and examine your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. If you need to cancel an appointment, please call 24 hours in advance to reschedule. At the end of your first session, you and I will determine whether to schedule another appointment. Depending on your situation, your needs might be better met by another therapist or by a professional in a community agency. HOW DO I SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT?You may schedule an appointment by calling (610) 653-0989. Typically, you will be seen as soon as your schedule and my schedule permit. |
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