Frequent Questions

Getting Started with Therapy

What is the difference between a counselor, psychologist, and psychiatrist?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication and often focus on how medications support mental health. Some also provide therapy.

Psychologists typically have doctoral-level training and may provide therapy and psychological testing.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I provide talk therapy focused on understanding patterns in how you think, feel, and relate, and helping you create meaningful change. I do not prescribe medication.

How does therapy work?

Therapy is a collaborative process and looks a little different for each person.

In general, we focus on understanding what’s happening in your life, identifying patterns in how you think, feel, and respond, and exploring where those patterns come from. From there, we work on developing more effective ways of moving forward that fit your life.

How long will therapy take?

There isn’t a single answer to this. Everyone’s situation, goals, and pace are different.

Some people are looking for support around a specific issue, while others want to engage in deeper, ongoing work. We’ll talk together about your goals and adjust as we go.

How can I get the most out of therapy?

Being open, engaged, and willing to reflect between sessions makes a meaningful difference.

We meet for a limited time, so much of the change happens in how you begin to notice patterns and respond differently in your daily life. Therapy works best when it becomes something you actively engage with, not just something you attend.

Why shouldn’t I just take medication?

Medication can be helpful and, in some cases, an important part of treatment.

At the same time, medication alone doesn’t address the patterns, experiences, and responses that contribute to how you’re feeling. Therapy focuses on understanding those patterns and developing ways of responding that create lasting change.

When appropriate, therapy and medication can work well together.

 What’s the difference between talking to you and talking to a friend or family member?

Support from friends and family is important, but therapy offers something different.

In our work together, we focus more intentionally on understanding patterns, exploring what’s driving them, and helping you respond in ways that lead to real change.

Therapy also provides a consistent, confidential space where the focus stays on you—without the expectations or dynamics that naturally exist in personal relationships.

I’m used to handling things on my own. Does going to therapy mean I’m weak?

Not at all. Many people who come to therapy are thoughtful, capable, and used to managing things on their own.

Often, they’ve reached a point where what used to work no longer does. Therapy offers a space to slow down, understand what’s happening more clearly, and find new ways of responding that are more effective and sustainable.

Additional Questions You May Be Wondering About

Do I need to have a specific problem to start therapy?

Not necessarily. Many people come to therapy with a general sense that something isn’t working—feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or repeating patterns they don’t fully understand.

You don’t need to have everything figured out. Therapy can help you clarify what’s happening and what you want to change.

 I’ve already tried therapy before. How is this different?

It’s common for people to come in after previous therapy experiences and still feel stuck.

In our work, we focus not only on coping, but on understanding the patterns that keep showing up, exploring where they come from, and developing more effective ways of responding. This often leads to deeper and more lasting change.

What if I tend to overthink or already understand myself well?

Many of the people I work with are reflective and self-aware, but still find themselves repeating the same patterns.

Insight is important, but it doesn’t always lead to change on its own. Therapy helps bridge that gap by connecting understanding with how you actually respond in your daily life.

What if I’m not ready to make big changes?

That’s okay. Therapy isn’t about forcing change.

Sometimes the first step is simply understanding what’s happening and why. From there, we move at a pace that feels realistic and sustainable for you.

How do I know if this approach is a good fit for me?

This work tends to be a good fit for individuals who are open to reflection and interested in understanding themselves more deeply—not just managing symptoms, but creating meaningful change.

If that resonates, it’s worth having a conversation to see if it feels like the right fit.