Encouraging Hand Trauma Counseling, PLLC.

Healing & Hope

Understanding Therapy

Therapy is a collaborative process between a person and a trained licensed professional, and it encompasses various methods, including Brainspotting Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Therapy is not just for serious problems; anyone can benefit from it—whether you're overwhelmed, curious, or seeking personal growth. The process helps build insight and skills, allowing individuals to change or cope in healthier ways. Different approaches, such as Deep Brain Reorienting, and EMDR Therapy, can be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, or other mental health conditions. Furthermore, therapy provides a safe space to process and heal from painful experiences, change unhelpful patterns, learn emotional regulation and coping skills, build self-esteem, self-awareness, and self-confidence, and set boundaries. Additionally, Internal Family Systems can assist in navigating major life events or transitions.

Client Expectations

For a client, therapy should be a calm, safe, non-judgemental space that fosters collaboration in goal-setting between the individual and the professional. While therapy may not be comfortable for everyone, it's essential for a person to feel at ease with their therapist to build trust. This comfort can take time, particularly if the client has experienced disruptions or wounds in previous relationships. Approaches like Brainspotting Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Deep Brain Reorienting, EMDR Therapy, or Internal Family Systems can assist in this healing process. As trust develops with the therapist, clients can work through their emotional wounds and disruptions in their relationships.

General Points

Therapy is not about "fixing" problems; rather, it is a collaborative process to build sustainable healing outside the therapy room. Regardless of the therapy modailties used, meaningful change takes time and effort. While some sessions may feel like relief, others might invite you to go deeper.

Therapy is different from friendships, as it maintains professional boundaries while providing the caring atmosphere your nervous systems needs to heal.

The therapeutic process isn't merely about giving advice; effective therapists, regardless of the modalities they use, do not dictate what you should do. Clients have the right to choose which modalities work best for them and collaborate with their therapist on a treatment plan.

Clients should never feel judged, criticized, or dismissed during sessions. If this occurs, clients are invited ti discuss what surfaces as this might be an indication to address the transference that sometimes happens in session, or an opportunity for the therapists to take accountability.

The time spent with a therapist is specifically designed for the client's needs. It's essential that client's do not feel like a burden or that they are bothering the therapist.

Client's should not feel pressured to share too much too quickly; building trust takes times. If a therapist seems pushy and you feel uncomfortable, they may not be the right fit for you.