The Process of Therapy
Let’s Understand
Before we “do” anything, we need to first understand.
We’ll explore what brings you to therapy, what gets in your way, and what you’re looking for help with. In addition, we’ll get to know you as a person: what your life is like, what your strengths, and weaknesses are, and maybe even some fun idiosyncrasies. The process of learning and understanding about you will continue throughout the therapy process.
I facilitate this process in two ways. First, I’m curious. I’ll ask thoughtful questions and gently dig around. Second, I’ll withhold judgement. You won’t scare me away—-I’ve probably heard it before. And, if I haven’t yet, I’m excited to have the opportunity! I find it incredibly brave for people to share difficult things in therapy.
Goal Setting
Before setting out on a journey, it’s important to know where you’re going. We’ll work together to develop measurable goals so we know so we know how you’re progressing and once you’ve met them. I do my best to make goal setting feel like a meaningful and not a forced process. The goal isn’t to check a box—it’s to orient our work toward what matters most to you.
The Trip
Once we’re on the road, we’ll use a mix of conversation, reflection, and experimentation. We might:
It’s part discovery, part skill-building, part courage training.
Goal Achievement
As we go, we’ll keep checking our compass and map to make sure we’re going the right direction and that we’re making progress. Are we moving closer to what you hoped for? Have the goals shifted? Therapy is a living process, and we’ll make sure it stays responsive to who you are now, not just who you were when you started.
Graduation
Technically, therapists call this “termination,” but that sounds more like a sci-fi plot twist than a healthy ending. When you’ve reached your goals—or decide it’s time to pause—we’ll plan for a thoughtful wrap-up. We’ll review what’s changed, what’s next, and how to keep your progress going outside the therapy room.
Many people return to therapy at different points in life, and that’s not a failure—it’s a wise re-calibration when you need extra support. Life changes; therapy can too.
Before we “do” anything, we need to first understand.
We’ll explore what brings you to therapy, what gets in your way, and what you’re looking for help with. In addition, we’ll get to know you as a person: what your life is like, what your strengths, and weaknesses are, and maybe even some fun idiosyncrasies. The process of learning and understanding about you will continue throughout the therapy process.
I facilitate this process in two ways. First, I’m curious. I’ll ask thoughtful questions and gently dig around. Second, I’ll withhold judgement. You won’t scare me away—-I’ve probably heard it before. And, if I haven’t yet, I’m excited to have the opportunity! I find it incredibly brave for people to share difficult things in therapy.
Goal Setting
Before setting out on a journey, it’s important to know where you’re going. We’ll work together to develop measurable goals so we know so we know how you’re progressing and once you’ve met them. I do my best to make goal setting feel like a meaningful and not a forced process. The goal isn’t to check a box—it’s to orient our work toward what matters most to you.
The Trip
Once we’re on the road, we’ll use a mix of conversation, reflection, and experimentation. We might:
- Get in touch with your core values
- Look at times when emotions hijack the steering wheel, and plan better routes for next time
- Try new behaviors or coping tools
- Track patterns and progress
- Do things that feel uncomfortable—but are important to try
- Prepare for difficult conversations
- Run small “behavioral experiments”
- Build self-understanding so you can be less self-critical and more self-directed
It’s part discovery, part skill-building, part courage training.
Goal Achievement
As we go, we’ll keep checking our compass and map to make sure we’re going the right direction and that we’re making progress. Are we moving closer to what you hoped for? Have the goals shifted? Therapy is a living process, and we’ll make sure it stays responsive to who you are now, not just who you were when you started.
Graduation
Technically, therapists call this “termination,” but that sounds more like a sci-fi plot twist than a healthy ending. When you’ve reached your goals—or decide it’s time to pause—we’ll plan for a thoughtful wrap-up. We’ll review what’s changed, what’s next, and how to keep your progress going outside the therapy room.
Many people return to therapy at different points in life, and that’s not a failure—it’s a wise re-calibration when you need extra support. Life changes; therapy can too.