what is therapy like?

First and foremost, therapy is about helping you feel better so that you can live the life you want.  You determine what you want to work on, and at what speed.  For example, you may choose to gain insight into your habits, learn to work with your stress or anxiety or depression, or focus on improving the important relationships in your life. 

When you walk into my office in Norwalk CT, you are allowed to settle down, and leave the rest of the world outside.  (If you are seeking teletherapy remote sessions, we will work to make sure the setting and technology feel comfortable to you.)  This is your time.   I work collaboratively with you to understand your goals, needs, and pacing of therapy.  We will work together to determine how my expertise and experience can help you meet your needs.

Some sessions, you may want to talk and tell me more about yourself.  Other times, we may work with Internal Family Systems or EMDR protocols to help you reduce overwhelming or uncomfortable feelings such as anxiety or depression. 

As a therapist, my goal is to understand who you are, and how I can assist you in meeting your objective.  My office is a safe, non-judgmental space in which this can occur, and I invite you to experience the growth that can occur within a good therapeutic relationship.

Look for a therapist that “feels” like a fit:

• Your therapy sessions are about you, not your therapist.  Does your therapist keep the focus on your needs?
• Does your therapist feel genuine and trustworthy?
• Therapy should help you gain insight, learn skills, reduce symptoms, or rebuild relational connection.  Therapy is not just going and having a friendly conversation with another person.  Does your therapist provide useful expert guidance?
• Do you feel comfortable, safe, relaxed talking your therapist?
• Do you feel respected, understood, and safe with this person? 
• Can you tell your therapist when you disagree or have concerns about your therapy or the therapeutic relationship?  Your therapist should be willing to open to feedback, and to discussing differences in a safe, respectful, and honest manner.
• Is the therapist professional and able to maintain confidentiality?
• Does your therapist maintain professional therapeutic boundaries both in session and outside of session?
• Being trusted to witness and help clients is a gift.  Do you feel like your therapist treats it as such?

If you have sought therapy before or seen enough movies, then you might have a sense of what to expect, but every therapeutic experience is different.  The tone and manner of therapy that is done is entirely dependent on the specific therapist and client(s) in the room.  If you have had a bad experience with past therapists, it is possible that the fit wasn’t quite right.  I urge you to continue searching for the right therapist to meet your needs. 

I have been told many times that I offer "something different" that clients have found to really work.  Come and see what a difference a good therapeutic relationship can make.

YOU CAN EXPECT:

• A safe, confidential, honest therapeutic relationship.
• A warm, caring, non-judgmental environment.
• Professional integrity with regard to your emotional experience, time, and money.    
• On-time appointments.

Visit us at Whole Psychotherapy in Norwalk ct:

Located in East Norwalk on East Avenue, we enjoy ample free parking, and are located in a multi-office building to help protect your anonymity. Easy access from I-95 exit 16, and just around the corner from Stew Leonard's grocery store on Route 1. 

When you walk into my office, a cozy waiting room area will greet you.  Help yourself to snacks or water/tea/coffee. 

Then you can enter further into my office itself, which offers a comfortable place to sit, peaceful décor, and colorful fun sand therapy objects that line one wall.  The surroundings are designed to feel safe, comfortable, and relaxing so that you can walk in and get the help that you need.