Why do people seek therapy?

Since the earliest times people have sought out a counselor. In the Celtic tradition there is an ancient practice of seeking out an “Anam Cara,” a “friend for your soul.” Often this person was a family member or friend. Other times it was a confessor; a catholic priest, a jewish rabbi, buddhist monk or sister. This person would journey with them, showing  compassion, understanding and wisdom. 

Today many people begin therapy for similar personal and spiritual growth. Some struggle with addictions or compulsions, anxiety and depression. Others fear losing their family, job or their own lives. Many struggle with anger management. When previously effective coping skills fail, therapy can help find new skills and assist you in putting new “tools” in your toolbox.

---

What benefits can I expect from working with a counselor?

The private and confidential nature of therapy creates a  safe environment for people to discuss what is troubling them with their counselor.  Some of the benefits of working with a counselor are:

• Identifying and  replacing destructive thought and actions with healthy ones.
  
• Becoming more aware of “red flags” that lead to destructive actions.
  
• Developing more honest and intimate relationships.
  
• Improving marital communications.
  
• Integrating faith into your desire for personal growth.
  
• Understanding alcohol, sexual, drug or other addictions.
  
• Recovering from sexual abuse, incest and other traumas.
  
• Healing from grief and loss caused by death, divorce, job loss or medical issues.
  
• Finding better ways to cope with stress, anxiety and depression .
  
• Learning new tools to handle anger management.
  
• Improving self-esteem and boosting self-confidence.
  
• Developing a more positive outlook for the future.
  

---

What topics are discussed in individual, couple and family therapy? 

INDIVIDUAL:
Self-development, Body image issues, Anxiety and depression, Relationships transitions, Stress Management, Recovering from Traumas, Career Counseling, Career Challenges, Job Anxiety, Life Coach Services, Sexual Compulsions, Anger Management, Cyber Addictions, Bullying, Negative Thinking, Substance Abuse, Relationship Difficulties , Loss and grief counselling ,Sexual problems , Spiritual issues.

COUPLE and FAMILY:
Communication Skills, Financial struggles, Infidelity, Anger Management, Cyber cheating, Sexual problems,  Trust issues, Relationship transitions Structured separation, Premarital counselling.

FAMILY:
Parent-child conflicts, Defiant or isolated teens, Grief and issues of loss, Alcohol dependence, Alcohol Abuse, Anger Management, Substance abuse, Caring for ageing parents, Sibling rivalry, Parenting styles, Transitions after separation or divorce.

---

What are some common questions asked in therapy?

• Should I stay or should I leave?
  
• How do I talk to my partner about their alcohol or drug use?
  
• How can we talk about certain topics without getting angry?
  
• What are some things we can do to rekindle romance?
  
• How can I find the courage to venture out on my own and start a business?
  
• I want to make some major changes in my life, what steps can I take?
  
• How can we save our marriage after an affair?
  
• My children are driving me crazy and I am angry and afraid, any advice?
  
• The holidays are approaching and I am beginning to stress .... what can I do?
  
• My partner just told me about childhood abuse, and I don’t know what to do?
  
• What am I always attracted to people who are unavailable?
  
• I am beginning to remember painful events in my past, what can I do to help myself?
  
• I am going to college and I have not clue as to what I want to be, what can I do?
  
• I was arrested and I have a court date in a month, can you help me prepare for it?
  
• My child has serious problems and I feel I have failed them, what should I do?
  
• I have started stealing, and I am finding it thrilling, what can I do to stop it?
  
• I think my child is gay, what can I do?
  
• I want to begin the annulment process can you guide me through it?
  
• Can you facilitate a difficult meeting we need to have at work?
  
• I am struggling with forgiveness, what would be helpful for me to do?
  
• I am pulling away from friends and family, what should I do?
  
• I am overwhelmed when I have to talk in public, is there anything I can do?
  
• How do I make bullies go away?
  
• Why would God take my loved ones away?
  
• I want to go back to work after raising my kids, what can I do?
  
• I have been ordered by a judge to get counselling, can you help?
  
• How do I handle intrusive thoughts?
  
• Why do I keep setting myself up?
  
• How do I find joy again?
  
• My spouse and I have different ways of discipling the children,  can you help?
  
• Can you help us draft up guidelines for a controlled separation?
  
• Are there any tools I can learn to lower my anxiety?
  
• Can you help us prepare our parents for residential care?
  
• Can you guide me as I begin hospice?
  
• We are getting married next year, can you help us prepare for our marriage?
  
• I am struggling with my faith, can you direct me?
  
• Can you help me with anger management?
  
• I want to explore new possibilities at work, but I am shy, can you help?
  
• I am afraid of my spouse, can you help me?
  
• I was laid off, what can I do to reinvent myself?
  
• My secrets are killing me, can you help me with them?
  
• My online life is becoming addictive, what can I do?
• Our children have been taken into foster care, can you work with us and the authorities?
  
• I was referred by the “Victims of Crime Program” can you help me?
  
• I suffer from panic attacks, what tools can you teach me?
  
• Our teenage child has just been arrested, what should we do?
  
• We want to enrich our marriage, can you guide us in this?
  

Call me at 818.501.0513, I would like to help.