Individual Psychotherapy for You

As the name suggests, individual therapy is all about the patient as an individual. People seek professional help for various mental illnesses or problems, including conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, OCD and mood disorders.

Therapy sessions typically last about 50 minutes and the frequency of appointments will depend on your specific treatment plan. Regular attendance is strongly recommended for the fastest path to recovery.

You can expect to be treated with respect, understanding and compassion. You will work through issues at your own pace, one that feels as safe as possible while moving you towards your goals. Naturally you will also be challenged and engaged as well. 

Treatment is often hard work, but that doesn't mean it has to be exhausting or unduly painful.  In hiking up a mountain, the route usually takes switchbacks rather than trying to ascend to the heights in one direct climb.  With switchbacks you can better ensure you'll have the energy to get to your goal - even if sometimes you seem to be going in the opposite direction, or to be at the same place as before (but always a little higher up). With switchbacks a stumble or fall won't send you clear back to the bottom again.  Switchbacks are usually the best way to go, if time allows.  Therapy works the same -- steady progress for the long climbs, more direct and quicker for a smaller ascent.

I also believe that it's not necessary to feel all the pain of your situation to recover -- you need to feel enough pain to stay motivated to change and to be aware of progress, but more than that is often unhelpful.  I think most people prefer if a surgeon offers them anaesthesia rather than just telling them they need to "feel the pain." I like the doctor who gives me pain meds when my injury hurts so much I can't think well or get anything done.  So part of my therapy involves trying to bring your pain down to reasonable levels now, while we work at getting rid of all of it later.