In our first session together, here's what you can expect

The first session is all the background and history stuff, so the first session is pretty dry. The more information you provide on the intake paperwork, the more time we can spend talking during the first session. After that, it is goal setting, and then we get to work. For couples, the first session is about relationship history. The 2nd and 3rd sessions are where I meet with you both individually, and the 4th session is goals. I try to keep things fairly casual and calm because I do acknowledge that seeking out therapy can be a vulnerable process. Additionally, if we don't click and you want to try out some other therapists, I take no offence and would be more than willing to provide you some referrals. My number one concern is to help you with your mental health journey! If you are on the fence about therapy in general, I do recommend giving the process at least 3-5 sessions. I realize that is a big ask. However, therapy is a marathon and not a sprint and it has been my experience that most people do not respond well to being called out on 20+ years of BS and bad coping mechanisms in a total of 3 hours.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I am a very open minded and curious person. No one learns or grows from having a closed mind or believing that things can't change. I also am a voracious consumer of data, research, and concepts (I have been referred to as an "encyclopedia" by several people on numerous different occasions) so if you want up to date information or to be challenged on a rational level, I'm game. I put a strong focus on results and helping you grow outside the therapy office. I treat therapy almost as if it is a "college degree" where at some point you will graduate from therapy. It's okay to "reenroll" if you encounter a new phase in life but my goal is to give you skills and to teach you how to use those skills throughout your life. With the wide range of theories and information I absorb. I also try to be somewhat creative with my homework that I assign. Yes we should all journal, and exercise, and get 8 hours of sleep but I find creativity makes concepts more memorable. It's one thing to discover that you have suppressed emotions weighing you down. It's another thing if I have you carry around a balloon that reminds you that you are shoving things down and not dealing with problems so you have to face the balloon every morning.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I generally work with anyone over the age of 18 because I need to be able to have a rational conversation with someone that has the agency to take action. If you are going to complain about how life is unfair and want to sit down and do nothing to improve your life while blaming a mental health diagnosis on your behavior, I am not your therapist. I am compassionate and will be empathetic and sympathetic to people who are trying to improve and fall down sometimes. However I am not gonna validate behavior that leads to inaction and the further deterioration of your mental health. You will regularly hear me say that "a diagnosis explains behavior it doesn't excuse it". I have generally found that people who respond best to me are people that have undergone a major life change and feel lost (clients going through a divorce or is struggling in a relationship have seen tremendous progress), or if you are in the mindset of "let's give this therapy thing a shot". I have seen many clients say "I should have done this years ago" after the first few sessions saying "why is my wife/husband dragging me here". If you have an open mind, willing to take accountability for your own life, and are wanting to feel better, let's get to work!