What you want to know about therapy, but are afraid to ask (Part 2)

 

Round 2 of FAQ's that I received! Let's jump into it:

5.) Is marriage counseling a sure sign we are heading for divorce?

Absolutely not. Marriage or couples counseling can provide many benefits, including:

-learning communication skills

-clarifying expectations

-problem solving

-fostering intimacy

-improving self-esteem

-dealing with financial stress

-managing individual issues

Most couples that I work with or have worked with have not been considering divorce, but came to counseling to learn how to solve a problem with the help of a trained professional who is outside of their situation. 

6.) Are you LGBT friendly?

I am an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist. This means that I respect you as you are and do not engage in or promote the harmful practices of conversion therapy or gender disaffirming practices. I am not an expert in LGBTQIA+ issues, but have great compassion and empathy for the LGBT+ community and work to help all of my clients feel seen, heard, valued, respected, and accepted as they are. 

7.) Will my counselor judge me or think poorly of me when I mess up or if I back slide?

No competent clinician will judge you or think poorly of you for "messing up". We are human and we mess up as well! Backsliding is something that can be really difficult to feel. I try to view progress as a rollercoaster; when we feel like we are doing well, we are going up the hill and gaining a great view, when we feel like we are backsliding, we may be twisting or turning to go in a different direction--however you are not moving backwards. "Messing up" or making an unhealthy or unhelpful decision does not negate the progress you have made and does not determine your future progress. 

8.) Can I talk about my sex life with my counselor?

Yes, please do! Sex is an important part of life and health and is often an important consideration in mental health treatment. Many emotional issues can manifest through sexual difficulty or disfunction, and talking about it is essential in addressing the problem to move forward. Talking about sex can be uncomfortable, especially if you come from a religious or cultural background that connects sex with shame and guilt, which further emphasizes how important a trusting relationship is with your counselor. 

9.) Is counseling connected to religion?

Counseling can be connected to religion, faith, or spirituality. When looking for a counselor, this is something that is really important to consider. It may be helpful to self-reflect and ask yourself if there a certain faith tradition that is important to you and you know you would feel more comfortable, understood, or congruent by working with a professional who shares that. Training, experience, scope of practice, and qualifications can all differ by specific license and at times, religiously affiliated practitioners may have a different degree of training, which is important to be mindful of. For example, many Christian clients seek therapy through pastoral counseling. A pastor is qualified to provide spiritual help, guidance, and empathically listen. However, they are not automatically a licensed mental health professional, which is extremely important to find an ethical mental health provider.

Thanks for contributing and feel free to comment or contact me with any follow up questions!