Individual and Marriage Counselor

What to Expect

During the first session you will be asked to bring a completed Intake Form which you may download from the contact page on this site. This form will cover basic information and background that will help me get to know you more quickly. I will address the parameters of counseling and answer any questions you may have. We will be getting acquainted.

There are 3 basic phases of counseling: Assessment and Goal Setting, Working, and Termination.

The Assessment Phase is part of the initial session and will continue for a few sessions (about 3 on average). It will help us accurately identify your areas of concern and set an appropriate goal. In many cases as we begin to unpack the story we may discover that the true issue is something a little different than what was originally identified. It’s best to get all that sorted out in the beginning.  Once the assessment work is done and we have accurately and thoroughly identified the goal, we will work to agree upon a plan of action.

The working phase will involve some learning and/or re-thinking and will usually generate brief homework assignments. These will be designed to help you go deeper, or maybe to change behavior, or to establish new thought processes. Each situation is unique. This is the longest phase of counseling and can vary greatly in duration.

Finally, as change begins to take hold and we agree that your goals are being accomplished, we will move to the Termination Phase. This is an important phase for closure because it will help you to review how far you have come, the skills you have gained and hopefully prepare you to continue your forward progress on your own. Growth is a never ending process but a good counselor offers healthy skills for the journey and is always working herself out of a job!

Risks and Benefits of Counseling

Counseling is a partnership in which we will be working together to address your areas of concern. As a counselor I offer my education, skills, experience, and objectivity to help identify and address your treatment goals. Although counseling is often beneficial, it is important for you to hear from me that it is not an exact science and the results cannot be guaranteed. Professional assessment and insight may prove helpful; on the other hand you may find assessment procedures to be imprecise. You may discover that at times you disagree with professional opinions. The therapist/client relationship is dynamic and requires a therapeutic bond built on trust that evolves from a collaborative exchange.

In many cases the counseling experience will eventually lead to positive change. It is important to remember that any kind of change can create temporary relationship difficulties, distress at work, school, or in other important areas of life. The outcome of your counseling experience cannot be predicted. However, keep in mind that insanity is doing the same thing over and over while each time, expecting a different result. Counseling is designed to help you get “unstuck” from unproductive or painful patterns. We will be working together to determine the best possible results for you.