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Wondering Whether Therapy is Right For You?

I PROVIDE PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR VARIOUS DIFFICULTIES AND PROBLEM AREAS. YOU ARE ALWAYS IN A SAFE AND CARING ENVIRONMENT

DO I REALLY                        THERAPY?

I can usually handle my problems

NEED

The decision to participate in therapy is a personal choice and therapy is not for everyone. It is also important to understand that seeking help from a therapist is not a sign of some inability to solve your problems on your own. After all, you have successfully navigated through other difficulties you have faced! Many of the people who come to see me, find they are facing certain challenges in their lives for which they felt professional care could assist them with making lasting changes. But, success in therapy rests on various factors. And, for therapy to “work” you must have a problem you want to change and have a desire to commit to a process of changing it. Sounds simple enough, right? If only lasting change was that straightforward! We generally don’t choose to struggle on purpose; rather, we may encounter obstacles, some of which we are aware of and others we aren’t, that prevent the king of change we may want. In such cases, therapy is often for people who:

 

  • Have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired

  • Take responsibility by accepting where they are at in life and deciding for themselves if they are ready to make a commitment to change a problem by seeking therapy

DIFFICULTIES I HAVE HELPED OTHERS WITH

  • Major life transition(s) (e.g. divorce, break up, relocation, unemployment, new job, etc.)

  • Too much stress and worry, and/or a sense of feeling chronically overwhelmed

  • Over-relying on ineffective coping strategies, with little permanent and long-term relief from painful experiences (e.g. avoidance, overthinking, overworking, substance use, overeating, anorexia, binging/purging, self-harm, self-neglect, self-criticism)

  •  Feeling bad about themselves (low self-esteem), low trust in their abilities, qualities, and judgment (low self-confidence), and/or difficulty with confidently expressing themselves, their views, and their desires (low self-assertion)

  • Lack of meaningful and close relationships

  • Excessive frustration, disappointment, insecurity, or boredom in social situations and in current relationships, defeating a sense of closeness (i.e. emotional intimacy) or satisfaction with others. Other examples of defeating patterns include: distancing from others, resentment, criticism, low assertion, low impulse control, and infidelity.

  • Desire to learn more about themselves, what they want, and how they might be more effective at reaching their life goals

  • Barriers that limit people from achieving their fullest potential and their creativity, despite demonstrating success in many ways

  • Unresolved past traumatic experiences (e.g. unresolved childhood trauma, abuse, neglect, loss and grief)

  • Range of psychological and physical symptoms typically associated various disorders including, depression, anxiety, phobias, ADD/ADHD, substance abuse, eating disorders, personality disorders, chronic pain, and sexual dysfunctions

  • Personal lack of meaning and satisfaction in various areas of one’s life

People seeking my professional help may struggle with some of the following problems and challenging situations:

HOW CAN THERAPY                      ME?

HELP

When we have feelings that exceed a comfortable limit, we may naturally start to resist and avoid these feeling. In addition, we may also avoid the things in life likely to trigger these feelings. However, our emotional life is a part of who we are, and by avoiding our emotional life, we may develop and suffer instead from unpleasant secondary problems (e.g. psychological and physical symptoms), which unfortunately results in our becoming increasingly and persistently “stuck” over time. Should you feel ready to take the next step and participate in counselling, we will work together so you are better able to relate to your feelings by 1) facing emotional experiences that tend to be avoided, and 2) building your capacity to tolerate these feelings without the experience of unpleasant secondary symptoms. The more you are able to face your feelings without resistance and to tolerate the experience of your emotional life, the greater your chances are for experiencing both long-lasting and permanent benefits of therapy. Although change cannot be guaranteed, many people described benefits from participating in counselling, which may include:

  • Greater detection and understanding of the triggers to certain feelings

  •  Improved ability to experience your feelings, when triggered, without avoiding them and without experiencing unpleasant symptoms

  •  Improved ability to face situations and circumstances that trigger emotional pressures

  •  Learning new ways to cope with anxiety, stress, and the hassles of day-to-day life

  • Discovering important information about your internal experiences and your internal life which is essential for attaining better understanding of yourself, your goals, and you values

  • Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy

  • Discovering new ways to solve problems

  • Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

  • Developing skills for resolving conflicts in your relationships

  • Greater awareness and satisfaction in relationships

  • Less psychological and physical symptoms and a general sense of feeling calmer and happier

  • Attaining improved connection with yourself and your ways of negotiating through life

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