The length of counseling varies depending on the individual and the nature of the concerns being addressed. Some people may only need a few sessions to work through a particular issue, while others may benefit from ongoing counseling over a longer period of time.

Yes, counseling sessions are typically confidential, meaning that what you discuss with your therapist will not be shared with others without your permission, except in cases where there is a legal or ethical obligation to do so (such as if the therapist believes that you or someone else is at risk of harm).

People see a therapist for a wide range of reasons including but not limited to stress management to a specific diagnosis. Sometimes an event occurs that causes an individual to seek out help, while others may attend therapy because it provides a trained objective person to help them work through some issues they may have been struggling with for years.  Counseling can be beneficial because a client may feel a sense of control in their life and have the tools to be able to make better decisions or changes in their life.

There are too many benefits of participating in therapy to list!  Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and coping strategies for a wide range of issues. Therapists, being objective, can provide a different or fresh perspective on a problem that you have been struggling with.

The benefits of therapy depend on your commitment and level of readiness. Some benefits can include, boosting self-confidence or improving self-esteem, improving communication skills, learning/finding new coping skills, attaining a better understanding of yourself, changing old patterns and developing new ones, or managing your emotional feelings such as sadness, anger or other highly charged emotions you may be feeling.

Individual – The client has one-on-one sessions with their therapist to address any concerns and work through and seek positive alternatives. Group – With a therapist facilitator, the clients have the opportunity to work through and support each other with similar interests. Group counseling enables a client to learn from others’ experiences and allows the client to see that they’re not alone.

Couples/Family – Helps reduce tension/conflict as well as improve communication skills within the family unit.

Therapy sessions are typically 45-50 minutes, while groups run longer per session.  Clients typically meet on a weekly or bi-weekly basis depending on the client’s needs. The length of time while in therapy will depend on the individual client’s circumstance. The therapist and client will determine that together.

The initial session will be an initial assessment to discuss the client’s history and needs for treatment.  During this first session, the client will have the opportunity to see how therapy will work, review office policies, privacy, and confidentiality, as well as determine whether or not they are comfortable with the therapist.

To preserve the continuity of care, it’s important to work with school counselors, pediatricians, primary care physicians, psychiatrists, etc. With written permission, therapists can provide treatment plans or answer questions that other professionals may have. If a client needs their therapist to work with other professionals in their life, please don’t hesitate to ask.