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

The first session is about one thing. We might talk about previous therapy experiences or apprehensions about therapy, we might talk about nothing than the most recent movies that disappointed us, we might discuss the nature of therapy and capitalism, we might even begin to discuss negative life experiences. All those can be valid but none are the true objective. The first session is about how do I get you to want to return for a second session. Most people only attend one therapy session. This is due to many things but the one thing that I can control is how warm, open, non-judgmental, receptive, competent, and supportive I come across as. The first session will be many questions or very few, you might talk a lot or maybe you want me to talk more. It is the start of creating what therapy looks like for us. I tend to be very Type B in many aspects of my life but I also had to be Type A to get through grad school. So, we can create a highly structured session or a very loose one, either way I will help to build it, maintain it, and make it productive. The first session is never going to look the same person to person. What I can say is I will start in my default of being open and unstructured and from there we can find what will work best for us moving forward. Other things we will cover the boring legalese boiler plate materials, the necessities of billing, policies with scheduling, and the opportunity to ask me about my perspectives regarding therapy and change. Things we will not cover: we will not be diving into trauma histories or childhood, I will not be making any sweeping claims or promises, I will not impose my knowledge as better or more important than yours. The first session will then hopefully end with you feeling good, or even great, about returning to the second session.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I believe my strengths rest in my authentic desire to understand people and to do so without judgement. I divorce myself from many of my biases so I can sit with you as you are. I maintain a professional relationship with my clients but I understand that being professional does not mean I must be cold, aloof, and unresponsive. I am often told I help people to re-contextualize their experiences, imagine new possibilities, explain concepts in a direct easy to understand manner, and my metaphors demonstrate I am actively listening and processing information in real time. To me the most important aspect of therapy is how one feels when sharing their most vulnerable parts, this is what can foster growth, self-acceptance, and a new corrective emotional experience. I never let those moments pass without an acknowledgment. When a client does something well, when a client disparages themselves, when a client has a victory; I am there to highlight it and have it be addressed. I also strongly believe clients do not ramble, they tell me exactly what they meant to tell me every time. This informs my desire to be attentive, curious, and responsive in session.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

Anyone who is curious, authentically engaged in their desire for understanding or improvement, people who are new or seasoned to therapy, people who are ready to change and people who are just starting to dip their toes into the water. I do not believe there is any ideal client. The most critical part is the goodness of fit between client and therapist. You might like me as a therapist because I can and will be sardonic, sarcastic, and sensitive to your needs. I value humor as both a means to help us swallow bitter truth but also to break up tension. I will give you space and if you do not fill that space, I will give you more. I cannot do therapy for you. I will not do therapy for you. My job is to be a guide and to provide insights when appropriate, knowledge when it is requested, and processing often. I never move faster than what you as the client are willing to move. I believe that therapy is always co-created and as such I am not the de-facto leader, I do not give orders, and I do not ever tell my clients what they can and cannot use their space and time for. I do however note when they are avoiding, I will bring suggestions to the table, I will encourage practice and homework, and I will keep you accountable. In short, my ideal client is anyone who wants to work with me to build a better tomorrow for themselves. The real question is: am I your ideal therapist, and you only can answer that. I hope to be.