The idea of starting therapy can bring up a lot of different feelings. Many people say that they feel hopeful even before the first session, because just knowing that they’re about to get help brings a sense of relief. Some people hesitate to seek therapy because they believe that it’s a sign of weakness, or they worry about what their loved ones will think. They may be anxious about “opening up a can of worms” and talking to a stranger about very personal things. On the other hand, in some circles, going to therapy is as commonplace as a weekly trip to the grocery store. Some people view it as an essential element of self-care and growth. Whatever your feelings about therapy might be, you’re not alone.
I view therapy as a safe, unbiased, and confidential place to get help with problems in living. I believe that most people at some point in their lives could benefit from therapy, whether or not they have a mental illness. Psychotherapy is also a place to get professional, skilled treatment for mental illness. Whether your primary goal is to recover from illness, or to grow towards your full potential as a human being, therapy may be a great tool to support your efforts.
However, therapy is just one tool among many. There are countless ways to take care of yourself and get support in reaching your goals in life…. nutrition, exercise, peer support, sleep, spirituality, medication, connection with community/ animals/ nature, meditation, volunteering and activism, creative outlets, travel. I am recovery-oriented and believe there is hope for everyone. I believe diagnostic labels have limited utility, and prefer to focus on understanding you as a whole person in the context of your life and past experiences. I seek to empower you to discover your own path to wellness, drawing on your natural supports and inherent capacity for resiliency, growth, and healing.