So, you are considering going to counseling. You probably have mixed feelings about jumping into this for the first time. Or maybe you had a not so helpful experience with a previous therapist. That can happen. You probably have some questions like:
• How do I pick a therapist? • Should I even bother? • What is therapy about?
What is therapy about?
Therapy is about working through problems. More specifically you work on how you deal with your problems. You gain insight into how you tick and how you get in the way of yourself from getting the results you want in your most important relationships.
A therapist is there to let you know how he or she experiences you. You will treat your therapist like any other person with whom you have a relationship. The key difference is that a therapist is there to draw your ways of interacting with others to your attention. A therapist’s openness about how he or she experiences you will help you gain valuable insight about yourself, which in turn will hopefully lead to more effective interactions in your personal relationships. Let’s face it, our friends and family are not always completely honest with us, nor are we with them. Therapy provides a safe and supportive environment to explore who you are and how you relate to others. Or maybe you are not looking for “therapy”. Maybe you need someone to assist you in planning the next stage of your life personally or professionally. We can assist you with clarifying your values and goals. We can then develop a strategy to help you realize those goals.
Should you even bother with counseling?
Ultimately no one else can decide that except you. Having said that, what often causes people to seek counseling is a distressing or transitional life event that in turn causes one to ask such questions as “Who am I?” and “What is my purpose?” Seeking counseling during these difficult times in one’s life can provide an individual with a valuable perspective that he or she may not have gotten on their own or from talking with a close friend or family member.
How do I pick a therapist?
It is a good idea to pick someone with whom you feel comfortable. At Molenaar Counseling\ you will find a compassionate and supportive environment in which to explore your concerns. Give us a call and we will answer your questions and you can determine if you feel comfortable with setting up an appointment. We can be reached at (773) 771-9189. We have offices in the Hyde Park neighborhood in Chicago, and Lansing. We also do home visits as needed.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Matt Molenaar LCSW