what is therapy anyway? (Addressing common misconceptions)
Therapy is…
-a process of self-discovery wherein I help guide you to connect with the intuitive wisdom that already lies within you
-an invitation to be empowered to take full responsibility for your own life
-a process that sometimes feels good and sometimes feels difficult
-a safe and supportive place to try new ways of relating in the container of a secure relationship
-an opportunity to explore barriers together and see your blind spots more clearly (we all have them)
-an opportunity to learn new strategies and coping skills
-a place in which we honor that that which may be destructive and causing problems for you now was at one point a means of survival
-a creative endeavor we choose to embark on together which requires mutual effort
Therapy is not…
- a place to get “fixed” - you don’t need to be fixed because you aren’t broken. you’re not a car getting a flat tire changed. you are a human being, created by design, wondrously complex, and worthy of love and respect and honor just as you are in this moment.
-a magic cure - only snake oil salesmen peddle these.
-just for “crazy” people - therapy is a tool for anyone facing life challenges, seeking to make positive change, or looking for a safe place to process their thoughts and feelings.
-shaming or blaming - we embrace the DBT dialectic that you are doing the best you can AND you can do better.
-a platform only for venting and complaining - it is an intentional process towards growth that yes, often involves some venting and complaining.
-a way to avoid responsibility - my job is to empower you to make the best choices for yourself. Inescapably, you are in charge of your own life.
-a one-size-fits-all solution - different people need or prefer a different approach to therapy based on their unique needs and circumstances
-a nonstop feel-good parade where I wave a magic wand (I wish I had one) while I blow a stream of rainbow unicorn bubbles in your face. (Frankly, I wish I had those too.)