Inside a Counseling Session: What Really Goes On

I can imagine it with you. Hey, I’ve watched TV and the movies! I’ve seen how people are pouring their hearts out while being judged as crazy or defective. 

I mean, we’ve all seen this setup:

The head nod.

The “uh-huh”. 

The silence as the counselor sits across from you analyzing every word, every movement you make while looking down at the note pad that holds all your darkest secrets. 

Until time runs out, you’re left spilling your guts while being judged to be crazy in some way - yes, judged, analyzed - and you already feel so self-conscious and crazy all on your own!

Who needs that???

I don’t either!

And, that’s why I want to tell you that’s not at all how it works. Breathe. Sense the relief! It’s not how we work anyway!

I’m not saying there aren’t counselors who work that way out there, and I’m certainly not here to judge them. Just like I’m not here to judge you either!

There are as many different styles of therapy as there are therapists and counselors. 

So, my hope is, I can give you a much more realistic idea of how we work - how many of us work - but, definitely how we provide psychotherapy.

When you reach out to us for your first appointment, we’ll chat briefly about what’s going on so we can make sure before you come in that we think we may be a good fit. After all, our goal isn’t to waste your time. 

Then, when we meet for your first therapy session, it goes something like this:

I’ll welcome you in, and you’ll sit with me so we can talk. (I don’t sit behind a desk…that’s just not comfortable!)

I don’t look at note pads, and I don’t write every secret thought you’ve ever had.

We talk.

It’s like having a conversation with your best friend who doesn’t have all the expectations, subjectivity, or judgments because I’m not your friend…. friends have expectations of each other, complications, and subjective feelings…while I care about you, I’m not involved in the trappings that come with personal relationships.

I may ask questions, make observations, and you may or may not agree with those observations which we explore together further.

It really is a process of exploration - understanding your perspective, providing you with some insights you may be overlooking, ways to help you cope better, you making decisions that are best for you, looking at perspectives, giving you tools to help with things like stress, insomnia, anxiety, etc.

(If you’re using insurance, yes, I do have to give you a diagnosis. For this reason, some people choose not use their insurance. That’s also completely under your control, and we respect whatever decision you make regarding that.)

Beyond that, it really isn’t as cold and clinical that’s portrayed in most media.

Therapy is a team approach. It really is about exploring and deeper understanding and how to get from where you are now to feeling better as quickly as possible!

One of the most common things we hear from our clients is: “I should’ve done this years ago!”

Or, “ I think everyone should do this. It’s been so helpful! I don’t know why I was so scared!”

And that, right there, is the truth about counseling.

At least, in my experience. It’s how Kevin works too.

If you’d like someone to talk to, or want to try meeting outside of the office, and want to see for yourself what it’s all about, we hope you’ll reach out to us so we can answer any other questions you have.

Wishing you our best always,

Beth (and Kevin too!)

For more information about our counseling services, please click here: Online Counseling