We live in an increasingly isolated world in which we are convinced on all sides that connection, meaning, and value can be shipped, swiped-on, liked, and plugged into. Social Media's benefits have allowed for unprecedented world-wide connection, but often at the cost of the life experiences that cultivate self-knowledge, character, confidence, and purpose. This leaves many people feeling paradoxically lonely, anxious, depressed, and without a sense of self, meaning, or direction. The therapeutic space and relationship can be a wonderful place to explore what's missing or out of balance in your life. If this resonates with you, my practice might be able to address what you're looking for. With all its flaws, one reason I love the internet is that it has allowed me to collect wisdom from all over the world that helps all of us understand ourselves better. In sessions, I like to find a balance between exploring what's on your mind/heart (openly holding space and following where the conversation leads us) and offering relevant tools and empowering concepts. I've often heard something like, "Thank you for not just asking 'how do you feel about that?' and helping me feel like there's something I can do this week to feel better."

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

In our first session, it's great to spend some time getting to know each other. Our time in sessions isn't only about the problems in your life, it's about you, your strengths, individuality, and dreams. We will spend some time on what's concerning you, how it's bothering you, and how it's interfering in your daily life. Then we'll explore what progress might look like for you in this area; this gives us something to aim for in therapy over the long run. Lastly, if we have time and it fits, I like to offer a foundational tool that helps provide a framework for moving forward that most people find empowering.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

One of my strengths is helping clients "fumble forward" in describing what they're thinking and feeling, and pulling together the meaningful parts to better articulate what they're trying to say. I've often had clients respond with, "Yes, thank you! That's what I'm trying to say, and I didn't know how to phrase it." This often helps people feel better understood, heard, and validated; and can provide a feeling of expressive relief. I love learning about the differences between men and women and how these show up in day-to-day relationships. Often, it's relieving to discern whether the issue you're struggling with is an "us" issue (individual and unique to client's relationship) or a frustrating manifestation of common and very healthy differences between men and women. I love helping people explore their identity. I usually bring this exploration up in the 2nd session so we can spend time exploring categories of identity one at a time over the course of many sessions. Many people struggle to know who they are outside of what they feel or the stressful circumstances they're in. Exploring who you are amidst what you're feeling helps externalize the pain and reestablishes that there's a substantial, valuable person underneath it all; your feelings and stressors become things you're learning how to handle rather than things weighing you down.

About Greg Good