Some questions you might have about therapy/counseling « Beth Rogerson

SOME QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE ABOUT THERAPY/COUNSELING

What will therapy/counseling be like?

First, let’s look at some expected outcomes of therapy/counseling to help get an overview of what to expect from therapy/counseling:

Outcomes of Therapy/counseling
Awareness and knowledge around one’s self is increased. Choices are increased and intentional change happens in ones life.
New learning brings about positive change in one’s life.
One’s knowledge of the range of possibilities is broadened.
One’s emotional stability increases.
One’s social and emotional resources are increased to better handle life situations.

What kind of atmosphere can you expect in a therapy/counseling setting?

Therapy/counseling is where an accepting atmosphere is co-created.
Where an emphasis is put on developing a trusting relationship between the therapist and client.
A calming atmosphere: where anxieties are managed.

What are some things we could “do” in therapy/counseling?

Therapy/counseling is where:
The solutions to individual problems are to be uncovered and discovered within the client through therapy/counseling.
Through conversation, as part of therapy/counseling, the therapist and client can co-create situations where emotions can be released and experienced differently than if experienced alone by the client.
If decided and then chosen, “exercises” can be co-create by the client and counselor that are individually suited.
These “exercises” are an effort for the client to try out in “real-life time” new learning.
The impact and consequences of new learning can be explored in the therapy/counseling session and awareness increased.

Will we talk about the past or deal with the present issues?

The therapy/counseling session will focus on you, the client, and your present day concerns:

The client’s past is not ignored but is examined as it is revealed in present day difficulties through conversation.
The “unfinished business” (i.e. past) of life will come back around to be examined.
Often past issues can be unrecognizable by you in the present because it happens in a different context with different content.
The past can be “re-experienced” and examined by the client and the therapist with a present day perspective.
An emphasis in made on awareness of the sensations and emotions the client is experiencing in the moment as the past is discussed.

How long is therapy/counseling?

Each session is 55 minutes.
We can decide together how often to meet. Usually it will be once a week or once every other week.
Sometimes we will take small breaks from counseling so new knowledge can be applied to living.

Who decides how long therapy/counseling should continue?

The therapist and client determine the entire course of therapy/counseling:
Therapy/counseling can be either short-termed (8-10 sessions) or long term (longer than 8-10 sessions).
Therapy/counseling will begin with the client committing to 8-10 sessions and if more time is needed to reach the client’s goal(s) then the “what when and how” of the next phase will be decided together.

How will we know therapy/counseling is finished?

Individual goals and the direction of therapy/counseling will be discussed and re-examined from the first session to the last.
Goals usually become more fully developed over the course of therapy/counseling.
Goals are seen as the “map” of therapy/counseling; goals are a flexible “map” changing according to individual needs. This therapy/counseling map will tell us when we have finished what we have set out to accomplish.

What if problems involve other people who do not come to the therapy/counseling session?

In therapy/counseling problems are viewed as a part of other systems:
How we live our lives is seen as part of a larger system. Every person is viewed as part of a larger system of people.
During therapy/counseling the knowledge is held concerning the impact and influences we have on others and that others have on us.
How therapy/counseling is done is based on the idea that the behavior of individuals and families is influenced and maintained by the way other individuals and systems interact with them.

“Hopefully some of your questions have been answered and you can come to the first session feeling more comfortable, knowing a little of what to expect. Of course you must bring your other questions and they will be answered too!”

The best to you,

Beth


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Counseling What is psychotherapy/counseling? Some questions you might have about therapy/counseling Gestalt therapy Archives Search Search for:		SOME QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE ABOUT THERAPY/COUNSELING What will therapy/counseling be like? First, let’s look at some expected outcomes of therapy/counseling to help get an overview of what to expect from therapy/counseling: *Outcomes of Therapy/counseling* Awareness and knowledge around one’s self is increased. Choices are increased and intentional change happens in ones life. New learning brings about positive change in one’s life. One’s knowledge of the range of possibilities is broadened. One’s emotional stability increases. One’s social and emotional resources are increased to better handle life situations. *What kind of atmosphere can you expect in a therapy/counseling setting?* Therapy/counseling is where an accepting atmosphere is co-created. Where an emphasis is put on developing a trusting relationship between the therapist and client. A calming atmosphere: where anxieties are managed. *What are some things we could “do” in therapy/counseling?* Therapy/counseling is where: The solutions to individual problems are to be uncovered and discovered within the client through therapy/counseling. Through conversation, as part of therapy/counseling, the therapist and client can co-create situations where emotions can be released and experienced differently than if experienced alone by the client. If decided and then chosen, “exercises” can be co-create by the client and counselor that are individually suited. These “exercises” are an effort for the client to try out in “real-life time” new learning. The impact and consequences of new learning can be explored in the therapy/counseling session and awareness increased. *Will we talk about the past or deal with the present issues?* The therapy/counseling session will focus on you, the client, and your present day concerns: The client’s past is not ignored but is examined as it is revealed in present day difficulties through conversation. The “unfinished business” (i.e. past) of life will come back around to be examined. Often past issues can be unrecognizable by you in the present because it happens in a different context with different content. The past can be “re-experienced” and examined by the client and the therapist with a present day perspective. An emphasis in made on awareness of the sensations and emotions the client is experiencing in the moment as the past is discussed. *How long is therapy/counseling?* Each session is 55 minutes. We can decide together how often to meet. Usually it will be once a week or once every other week. Sometimes we will take small breaks from counseling so new knowledge can be applied to living. Who decides how long therapy/counseling should continue? The therapist and client determine the entire course of therapy/counseling: Therapy/counseling can be either short-termed (8-10 sessions) or long term (longer than 8-10 sessions). Therapy/counseling will begin with the client committing to 8-10 sessions and if more time is needed to reach the client’s goal(s) then the “what when and how” of the next phase will be decided together. How will we know therapy/counseling is finished? Individual goals and the direction of therapy/counseling will be discussed and re-examined from the first session to the last. Goals usually become more fully developed over the course of therapy/counseling. Goals are seen as the “map” of therapy/counseling; goals are a flexible “map” changing according to individual needs. This therapy/counseling map will tell us when we have finished what we have set out to accomplish. What if problems involve other people who do not come to the therapy/counseling session? In therapy/counseling problems are viewed as a part of other systems: How we live our lives is seen as part of a larger system. Every person is viewed as part of a larger system of people. During therapy/counseling the knowledge is held concerning the impact and influences we have on others and that others have on us. How therapy/counseling is done is based on the idea that the behavior of individuals and families is influenced and maintained by the way other individuals and systems interact with them. “Hopefully some of your questions have been answered and you can come to the first session feeling more comfortable, knowing a little of what to expect. Of course you must bring your other questions and they will be answered too!” The best to you, Beth
		© 2009 - 2012 Beth Rogerson.

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