Counseling

Our goal in counseling is to emphasize each individual’s strengths and to help empower each client with the tools necessary to deal with life’s challenges and transitions as quickly and efficiently as possible. As a result, every client’s needs will be considered with individual goals in mind – you will have direct input regarding therapy sessions as we partner together working on the enrichment of your life.

After much study, experience and research, we have developed a profound appreciation of the importance of being more aware of the entire self when working through life’s challenges and the importance of being true to one’s identity when searching for solutions. At all times, the process of our work will be approached as a partnership; working together to examine the issues presented. We value and appreciate the experience and knowledge you bring to the counseling relationship and fully accept you as an individual/couple/family. We appreciate the importance of assisting you in becoming informed and comfortable regarding the process and goals established during our sessions.

There are almost as many different reasons to seek counseling as there are people. If you are feeling as if your life is out of balance or you are struggling with life transitions in anyway, talking to an empathetic counselor therapist can help you sort through things and maybe see things in a new way from a possibly new perspective.

  • Counseling can help you learn how to be a supportive friend yourself rather than being critical and/or putting yourself down.
  • Counseling can enhance your sense of happiness and help you to relax more and worry less.
  • Counseling can help you sort through your values and goals helping to bring a sense of purpose and meaning to your life.
  • Counseling can help you enhance your skills of communication and understanding enabling you to experience a higher level of satisfaction in your couple, family and friendship relationships. 
  • Counseling can help you build relationship and conflict resolution skills.
  • Counseling can help your children develop a healthier sense of self, resulting in building the resiliency needed in thriving through adversity and living a full and satisfying life.

Counseling Sessions

Once we have agreed to partner in a counseling relationship, we will find a mutually convenient time for appointments. Session times will be based on your preference (a traditional 50 minute or a 70 minute session) will be scheduled ahead of time. This time will be set aside for you alone and you will make the best progress if you attend your sessions regularly. If you have to miss a scheduled session, you will need to notify New Hope 48 hours in advance, if you do not want to be charged for the session.

Confidentially

In general, the privacy of all communications between a client and a counselor is protected by law and I can only release information about our work together with your written permission. There are a few exceptions. Counselors are required by law to take protective action if either you or a third party is in danger of serious bodily harm or death. Counselors must also report any suspected child abuse or dependent-adult abuse.

It is important to note that in some legal proceedings (ie. child custody/visitation, adult-dependency) where your emotional condition is an important issue, a judge may order testimony if he/she determines that the issue demands it. Although rarely the case, if such a situation does occur, I will make every effort to discuss fully with you all that has been required of me.

Ending Counseling

You are free to end your sessions at any time and I will support your decision. However, I believe it is important for you to end well. For this reason, I strongly suggest that you tell me (as early as possible) when you are planning on ending counseling. With rare exceptions, it is helpful to have one or more ending sessions to look back on what has happened during our work together to ensure I understand your reasons for ending, and to talk about what progress you have made. If there are unresolved issues we can plan how you will deal with them on your own. If you feel that you have not made the progress that you expected and that you would like to see a different therapist, I will provide you with referrals trying to make your transition as comfortable as possible.

What to expect in your first counseling session…

If you have never been in counseling, you may be a bit nervous and wonder what happens during counseling sessions.

The first session will begin with us discussing what has brought you to your decision to seek therapy. I will want to know what you would like to change in your life and how you think that you will recognize when therapy is helping. Hopefully as we talk, I will learn the basics about your life and what causes you hurt or difficulty. You may be asked clarifying questions as the conversation continues.

During the first few sessions, we will be learning about each other and evaluating how it feels to work together. You will need to decide whether you think I am a person with whom you can be open and honest as you share about your challenges and life. I will also be evaluating if I think I am the best person to help you or if I know of another therapist better qualified to work beside you. If either of us feels as if we are not a good match, I will refer you to another resource or counselor who can help you.

If the decision is made to work together, we will jointly decide on how your work should proceed. I will make therapy suggestions that you will be encouraged to research and investigate. (You will be asked for your input into your individual therapy plan and the therapeutic relationship as we continue our work together.) It is at this time that you will be asked to commit to regular counseling sessions. Therapy can last anywhere from a few sessions to sessions spanning months/years – depending on your individual needs, hurts, experiences and goals.

At all times however, it is important to understand that the majority of your “work” will be done outside of my office. The more work you do on your own between counseling sessions, the quicker you will begin to see positive results in your life.

New Hope Counseling Specialty Areas

  • Abuse Recovery (physical, emotional, sexual, financial, spiritual, incestual)
  • Adoption
  • Anxiety
  • Blending Families (also second marriages)
  • Building Healthy Relationships
  • Caring for Aging Parents
  • Co-Dependency Issues
  • Collaborative Divorce Counseling
  • Communication Skills Enhancement
  • Conciliatory Marital Counseling
  • Coping With Life’s Transitions
  • Custody and Visitation Issues
  • Dating (also dating again after loss – death or divorce)
  • Dealing With Anger
  • Depression
  • Enhancing Self-Identity/Self-Esteem
  • Fear of Intimacy
  • Fertility Issues
  • Grief
  • Infidelity Issues
  • Marital Relationship Enhancement
  • Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms/Disorder
  • Palliative Care
  • Parenting Issues (also step-parenting issues)
  • Peer Pressure/Social Pressure
  • Plastic Surgery Emotional Preparation
  • Pre- and Post-Divorce Issues
  • Premarital
  • Relationship Building
  • Self-Harm/Injury
  • Sexual Addiction (pornography)
  • Sexual Intimacy Issues
  • Spiritual exploration
  • Substance abuse/dependency and recovery