Individual Counseling

Deciding to begin therapy

Deciding to start counseling or therapy is a unique individual decision, since we all manage our emotions in different ways. You may want to consider beginning therapy when:

• Relationships are not satisfying and you want to learn more about patterns you notice in personal relationships.
• You are frequently distressed about something that has happened in the past or you worry a great deal about what may happen in the future.
• You feel overwhelming anxiety or persistently sad feelings, or you have a tough time managing anger.
• You are concerned about some of your behaviors and wonder if they are out of control or addictive. You want to learn more.
• You sometimes have trouble with co-workers, and finding or keeping a job is difficult even though others around you seem to have less difficulty.
• You feel the need for support but do not have the kind of support available that seems to help you.
• You recognize that you have a life that generally works, but you want to gain insight into your innermost thoughts and feelings.

Therapy often ends when:

• You have met your personal therapy goals.
• You notice that you are free of the problems you first brought to therapy.
• You have found positive or rewarding ways to take care of yourself such that your distress is reduced or eliminated.
• You have gained enough insight into yourself that you are clear about what you want from your life and from the world.
• You have a life that works on many different levels and is satisfying most of the time.

The collaborative nature of therapy

Counseling requires your active involvement. In order to realize its benefits, your best efforts are needed in exploring your conscious and subconscious awareness and applying yourself to the plans we develop. For example, you may tell Lark about important experiences, what they mean to you, and what strong feelings are involved. Also, she may ask you to experiment with such things as journaling and engaging in daily self-observation practices. In these kinds of ways, you will be an active partner in counseling.

Therapy goals

Counseling is tailored to each client, hence the outcome is individualized. Examples of goals could include relationship growth, adjustment to difficult life circumstances, expanded coping capacity, behavioral change, emotional regulation and self-management, management of chronic mental health issues, restoration of family relationships, interpersonal effectiveness, and communication.