FAQs about counseling, therapy, psychotherapy, and coaching in Windsor, California
How do I do therapy?
I know, it’s the local joke: We don’t need therapy, we just need more wine. And with all the very lovely wine we have available in Sonoma County (and it’s local, so it’s like it’s a community service to buy it, right?), it can be the way many people in Windsor, CA work through the emotional challenges. When you find that wine is not helping, counseling can help. But, if you’ve never been in counseling before… Oof. You feel it, right? A bit of overwhelm and uncertainty. Let me give you a few hand holds to start this journey.
What if I don’t want to throw mom and dad under the bus?: I know. That’s what all portrayals of therapy on tv are. Just blame mom and dad. Are you over 18? While your parents absolutely had influence on you, once you became an adult, it was on you to be different. While some modalities will bring mom and dad in, what will be the focus is on you. Throwing mom and dad under the bus not necessary.
What am I suppose to do in session?: Talk. That’s it. Each counselor will have their frame and they may be more directive, but your job will always be just to talk. Just as a PSA, if you ever leave a session feeling like you “did therapy wrong”, you’re not with a therapist that is a good fit for you. Seriously.
I am just looking for coping skills, can you help?: Yes. Most therapists can coach on coping skills. And. I’ll be honest. Most of us like to look for the root. While coping is good, many counselors want to work on the root beliefs of what you want to cope with.
Is counseling confidential?: Yes. With caveats. If you are using insurance, they will have access to your diagnosis. Outside of that, your counselor will share the limits of confidentiality. These limits are there to protect yourself and others from serious harm. Don’t be afraid to admit suicidal thoughts or angry statements that include harm to someone else (“I was so angry I could have…”), these are important for your counselor to know and just saying them does not mean that your therapist will be setting up a psychiatric hold. We all have these thoughts.
How do I know if I need therapy?: Ask any counselor, and they will likely admit that they believe most people (really all) would benefit from therapy. When is there more urgency though? Are your relationships feeling unhealthy? Is your anxiety making decisions for you? Is your depression so deep that you are struggling to take care of yourself? Are you having flashbacks to traumatic events that are disruptive to your day to day? If you are having an experience that is impacting your daily life and your overall happiness, that is an indicator that therapy is likely the right idea.
What’s the difference between LPCC, MFT, and LCSW?: As far as it impacts you, not all that much. I’d bore you if I went into detail. You know how you can get an MD or DO from medical school, but they’re largely the same? Same idea. What is more important is the way that your clinician works in session.
What is EMDR?: It’s a specific modality that is used for treating trauma. A therapist has to have specific training in it to be able to use it as a treatment.
What is CBT?: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This therapy focuses on your thoughts. There is a more formal way to do this with worksheets and specific steps, and there is a way to do it more casually with suggestions and reworking language in session.
This is a pretty basic set of questions. When looking to work with a therapist in Sonoma County, you may have some more specific questions. If there is more information you are looking for to reduce your anxiety or offer clarity, as always, feel free to call me 707.593.6333 and set up a free consultation. If you are looking for help with building healthy relationships, including the one with yourself, you can check out my website here to see how I can help.
