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The future depends on what we do in the present.

-Mahatma Gandhi

*For a review of these approaches to counseling click here.

If you have not seen a counselor before it may be helpful for you to know what to expect.

• Upon arrival for your appointment, there are a few brief forms to complete.
• Certainly at your first visit for counseling, you may feel somewhat uncomfortable coming to someone you don't know, to talk about what troubles you. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that this is often easier than you expect.
• The first counseling session provides information to the counselor about the areas of your life that you are struggling with. This sharing of information helps the counselor assess what will be the most useful approach to assist you. Often during this initial session clients feel relieved to have taken steps to get help. There are often recommendations that can be given in the first session that can provide much needed hope and reassurance.
• The process of counseling is tailored to the clients needs. Some counseling approaches are brief, while others are more involved and longer in duration. Some focus on the problem(s) at hand, and help you gain insight into the underlying reasons for your feelings and behavior. Other approaches focus on bringing about changes in feelings by finding new meaning to your thoughts, and challenging long-held beliefs, which may not have served you well. Counseling is an important tool to assist you in recognizing your strengths. You can discuss in your initial visit what your needs are with the counselor.
• The most important element in the client-counselor relationship is trust. I advise clients to assess for themselves how comfortable they feel with their mental health care provider.
• I strive to provide an environment of caring, acceptance, and encouragement to assist clients in achieving their goals. If for any reason, I am not the appropriate care provider for a client, I will provide a suitable referral to better meet your needs.