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Wellness is a multifaceted approach to living that promotes being well in all areas of life. It is more than just the absence of disease or illness. Being well requires active engagement, making the choices that support wellness. Wellness is unique to each individual and involves a dynamic process that changes with every new life experience. Therapy is a clinical process and a life experience that, focusing primarily on the emotional health dimension, endeavors to improve all dimensional areas of wellness: intellectual, spiritual, social, occupational, physical, financial, and environmental. 

I provide face to face therapy in my professional office and teletherapy sessions on the HIPAA complaint Clocktree Platform or by Skype.

Here are a few unrealistic perceptions about therapy:

  1. “Therapy should make me happy.” The intent of therapy is not ‘make’ a person happy. Happiness is a feeling which can be based on circumstances, outlook, and personality. The real purpose of therapy is to become fully functional, present, and connected in all environments and relationships.

  2. “You need to change my … (spouse, kid, parent, or co-worker).” Every person is entitled to choose whether they want to change or not. This is a process that cannot and should not be forced; otherwise the relationship takes on an abusive aspect. A therapist can’t make someone change, they can only encourage or inspire.

  3. “I want to be fixed in one session.” The process of therapy takes time because it requires self-discovery. As a result, there are no quick therapeutic fixes but each person has individual needs, perceptions, and motivation. For therapy to work best, it must be customized to the individual.

  4. “I feel close to my therapist.” Therapy is designed as a one-way relationship meaning that only the client exposes themselves, not the therapist. This ethical boundary is set for the protection of the client.

  5. “I shouldn’t have to pay someone to get better.” Therapists are specialists in their field who have and continue to study, research, and develop an expertise. Just like other medical professionals, there are licensing requirements, specialties, and additional certifications all of which cost money.

  6. “Tell me what to do.” Too often clients believe therapy should solve their problems. Therapists can shed light on options, explain potential outcomes, and connect the past to the present. But the point of therapy is to guide the client into making their own decision, not to make it for them.

  7. “All therapists are the same.” Each therapist brings unique perspectives and expertise to a practice. Some therapist’s personality and method are better suited to certain clients. They are as different as each type of client. It might take a few therapists to find the right match, but it is worth the effort.

  8. “Why can’t you help me with this?” Different types of therapy require an extra level of proficiency and should not be practiced by every therapist. Part of the ethical guidelines of therapy is to refer a client to someone who might be better suited with more know-how for a particular disorder or diagnosis.

  9. “I’m all better now that I shared” Just because a person has confessed an intimate secret doesn’t mean they are completely healed. The healing process is unique to everyone. It must be customized based on personality and usually requires additional action or change in behavior.

  10. “A session will make me feel better.” Exposing areas that need to be worked on is not always a happy journey, sometimes it is painful. But it is through the hurt and healing that growth happens. It takes time to complete the process which rarely is done within one session time frame.

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