LPCC, 6 years of experience
I’m a combat Veteran turned Therapist. I believe that the client needs to express the issues and trauma that they have along with being given coping skills and tools to deal with The symptoms associated with them. I believe in being proactive. I don’t want the client to think that I’m just there listening and nodding my head. I want them to know that this is a collaborative process and I’m in it with them to help them become with self and overcome any obstacles in their way.
First session would just be to get some of the assessment and background out-of-the-way, but I would also try to like to leave them with some kind of copies still to work on something to kind of let them know that we’re already working towards you being better.
I’m very proactive and try to be as transparent as I can about the process so that people understand that sometimes it could be quickly or could be slowly, but it will materialize if they were for it.
The clients invest able to serve the healing with anxiety, depression in any kind of trauma. Many people fall into this category, but there are those who have more severe mental health issues. I would refer them to someone or a facility that would be more suitable for them.
Working with the client to be proactive in utilizing coping skills were received during therapy to help alleviate symptoms and have a framework and structure that allows this to keep the client on track.
Give the client the ability to speak on their issues and the presenting problems and provide a space where they feel validated and able to get out a bunch of stuff that’s been sticking inside of them, causing them duress.