Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I’m used to handling things on my own.  Aren’t people who go to counseling weak? 

A: Not at all.  It takes courage and strength to reach out and do the work of counseling. And everyone could use some help now and then.

Q: What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?

A: First of all, counseling is completely confidential.  You won’t have to worry about someone “slipping” and accidentally saying something to another friend or family member.  Your information is safe with me.  Second, a trained counselor can help you see things from different perspectives, teach you coping skills, listen to you without interrupting or judging.  And having a counselor can protect your other relationships from unexpected fall out or awkwardness once you have worked through and gotten to the other side of what’s bothering you now.   

Q: Why can’t I just take medication? 

A: Medication can be helpful, but studies show that the best treatment for mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, is a combination of medication and counseling.  

Q: How does it work?  What do I have to do in sessions? 

A: Rest assured, at Clear Connections Counseling, you are in the driver’s seat.  You can decide how frequently you want to come and what you want to work on.  You can talk as much or as little as you want.  And if you don’t really like talking, there are other counseling modalities that can be very effective, such as self-expressive art activities, therapeutic games, tapping (Emotional Freedom Technique), and journaling. 

Q:  How long will it take? 

A:  There are many factors involved in the counseling process and it is very difficult to predict how long it will take for you to feel you have reached your “counseling destination.”  Talking to your therapist about what you want to gain from counseling and how long you are expecting or willing to continue with counseling will help your therapist plan your sessions and your course of treatment.